June 07, 2006
Canada and the War on Terror
June 7 - I've been off-line as the phone company didn't come through and then Munuvia was hit with yet another DNS attack. We must have pissed someone off, which I'll take as a compliment.
The international attention to the terror arrests up here has been astonishing, and all the more so in that the Canadian security agencies involved in the arrests have been more forthcoming than usual about those accused and their alleged specific targets. And too, the accusation that one of them wanted to behead the prime minister adds to the sensationalism in the case.
The Toronto Sun has archived the reports coming out in the aftermath of the arrest of 17 alleged terrorists here.
Judging from my own observations, I would say that awareness by both private citizens as well as by institutions has been increased -- but I'm sticking with generalities for the same reason as I cited in the previous post: give nothing away and make the bastards do their own legwork.
I will only report on the responses of those I know (and those who know me, and my American flag lapel pin intentionally acts to forewarn folks) yet I think it's fair to say that the astonishment here in Toronto is mixed with gratification. After the dismal failure to convict the defendents in the Air India trial which was, in part, attributed to turf wars between CSIS and the RCMP coupled with the revelation that the RCMP was involved in some questionable Adscam doings and had become highly politicized was disenheartening, but the arrests seemingly signaled that those responsible for public safety were in fact making us safer:
The RCMP led the investigation, but the probe included significant co-operation with partners through an Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, or INSET, made up of RCMP, the CSIS spy organization, federal agencies and provincial and municipal police.
INSET teams were created in April 2002 under a five-year, $64-million investment by the federal government.
That means the teams were created when Chretien was prime minister, which is significant and asks a question of those who parrot the sorry "it sends a message" line: Why do you vote for people who say one thing and then do another rather than voting (or at least respecting) those do what they say they will do?
Chretien and his ministers continually pooh-poohed the terror threat in Canada, yet established a high-profile committee to counter terror threats and it was highly successful. The arrests and detainment in Canada under this country's Anti-Terrorism Act (and which was opposed in an open letter from Muslim and civil rights organizations in part due to provisions permitting secrecy and long-term detentions without the formal filing of charges) should have been enough to persuade Canadians that (a) there was a security threat and (b) some strong measures had been taken to contain that threat.
The most striking feature of the case is that the targets were total Cancon -- nary an American business concern or MacDonald's were on that list. Even the dumbest dunderhead should have to concede that their hated for Canada and her institutions went beyond any imagined connection with the USA and spoke to their hatred of the West in general, but I'm not counting on it. The readiness with which many up here blame the USA for everything and anything is so deeply embedded that I doubt anything could excise it, but it is those others who are thinking about this and doing their own math and, if they think about it from this perspective, the aborted attacks say so much about Canada's worth that it may help counter the sense of inferiority that marks much of what is called Canadian self-deprecation.
In short, Canada is a force of good in the world and that makes her a target -- just not in the way that those at the CBC and Toronto Star would project. It is more evident in the West, but folks in the Maritimes, Quebec and Ontario too have it as part of their heritage: the courage to pick up roots and settle in a foreign country (including the Tories Loyalists* that fled from the American War of Independence
the willing self-reliance and confidence such a decision requires; the optimism and hope that life here will be better than it was "back home."
Okay, I'm going all Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle on you, but there is a lot of wisdom in that movie (and some grrr-eat humour) but I do have a point: people don't come here (especially given the damned winters) unless they have confidence and yearn to build a better life for themselves and their children. I actually believe that at least some of the familes of the accused had no idea what their kids were up to because that spark and optimism drove them to take a chance and move here and I feel as badly for them as for any family that sees - and disbelieves - that their kids are trashing every gift their parents gave them.
Those who want to invoke the 60s might want to look a little deeper: one of the accusations of my generation was that our parents were too materialistic and insufficiently spiritual and "close to nature." That this accusation was directed at people who had grown up with war-time scarcities was not even a consideration, yet how different is that blindness from the young fundamentalists who have disavowed every reason for which their parents migrated here?
It should be said that recognition of and gratitude for that gift can be perverted if the schools and communities don't celebrate the very heritage that enabled people of all colours, religions and ethnicities to come here and succeed, and by that I am referring specifically to the shared English heritage of both the USA and Canada which molded our institutions and gave legal recognition to individual merit and free will, despite its inconveniences, and just maybe what Canada and Canadians need is to accept that the two countries have that in common as well as a geographical boundary.
Instead of Canadians prefacing sentences with "unlike Americans," maybe we can all say that we -- Canadian, American, Australian, New Zealander, and British -- are all engaged in promoting the genuine values of an Anglosphere which decrees that all are equal and can rise on the basis of individual merit and worth.
On Canadian Appeasement
All the protests, anti-Americanism, Bush-bashing (including that by elected officials) and a refusal to support the Iraq War only fooled the fools -- it did not fool those who allegedly plotted attacks on institutions and landmarks and, had the plot actually gone forward, the death toll as well as the impact on the Canadian economy would have been substantial.
They are even accused of plotting an attack on the Toronto CBC studio, one of the most liberal if not leftist institutions in Canada. The CBC has been lukewarm on Canadian involvement in Afghanistan and their hostility to the USA as well as US efforts in Iraq is unmistakeable, yet they were a target.
Again, only the fools were fooled.
As I noted in an earlier post about some pre-Sept. 11 difficulties between the French and British in their respective perceptions of the international scope of conspiracies to commit terror acts, the French may talk a lot about discourse and negotiations but their security services tell a different story: they are focused, hard-nosed, and sometimes ruthless in their determination to eliminate threats. The problem with the French governments is their hypocrisy, or perhaps it would be better to say that the security agencies operate in such deep shadows that the French people can pretend that they are far too sophisticated to indulge in cowboyish maneuvers or do things like blow up the Rainbow Warrior just because it was attempting to expose the environmental impact of continued nuclear testing in Polynesia. After all, their government was "sending the right message."
There are indeed two Canadas, but it is not divided so much between French and English as between those who recognize that terrorism is an international threat and Canada is vulnerable, and those who will not concede the fearsome reality. Given the need for public vigilance in noticing stray bags, gunfire in the night, or an imam who preaches beyong the fiery, the extent to which these arrests are a wake-up call are yet to be determined.
As it has in the USA, though, I fear the retreat to partisan trench warfare between right and left will be rapid and unashamed, and far too many will not be able to find it within themselves to take the necessary steps to admit that we need to pull together now if only for self-preservation. But I really hope to be proven wrong.
* I should have said Loyalists, not Tories. Thanks to Keith for the correction.
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"including the Tories that fled from the American War of Independence" ... NOT Tories, LOYALISTS! lol My ancestors didn't "flee", they chose to leave on principle (after having chosen to fight in the KRRNY, maybe the choice was a bit of a no-brainer).
A very nice post. I am watching closely to see how Canadians react to all this, or not. My guess is that the Province of Ontaristan and the City of al-Toronto will make greater efforts to reach out to those misunderstood victim communities that produced the glorious 17. Perhaps we should build them a more comfy mosque.
Posted by: keith at June 07, 2006 08:24 AM (9/API)
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Sorry about that, Keith; you're 100% correct! I corrected the reference from Tories to Loyalists.
Now that I think about it, my post unintentionally reveals a bit about a subconscious American attitude to the Loyalists and thus to Canadians. I gotta work on that.
I'd have to read the
Toronto Star to gauge the Response of the Appeasers and I just don't have the stomach for that, but Zarqawi's demise also "sends a message" if you catch my meaning.
Posted by: Debbye at June 08, 2006 06:30 AM (qLKex)
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June 03, 2006
GTA Terror Sweet
June 3 - There was a curious story yesterday about some men who were behaving quite peculiarly in the subway. The description of their activities was enough to
raise terror concerns:
These two men, spotted May 23 at the Keele subway station, have brought this to the forefront. It could be nothing. It might be something! Who knows? "Two guys with video cameras were hanging around the platform and were on the trains filming the inside and under the seats," a TTC source said. "It was strange." (Emphasis added)
Strange indeed, yet one would think a real terror planner would be considerably more circumspect .. and I figured there was little to the story.
But.
Newsbeat1 linked to a partial transcript of an Al Jazeera interview last May with Taliban military commander Mullah Dadallah (breathless CTV version here) and a veiled threat to Canada was followed by the suggestion that, should Canada withdraw from Afghanistan, there would be no reason to attack:
Mullah Dadallah: "America now wants to avoid the heat of battle, so it pushes other countries towards it. Our operations may increase even more. Our advice to Canada and Britain is to refrain from defending the American propaganda, and from standing by this historic American crime. America wants to get other countries entangled in the crimes it committed in Afghanistan. Our advice to these countries is to avoid the heat of battle, because we will wreak vengeance upon them one by one, like we are doing with the Americans, if they remain here when the Americans are gone."
[...]
"Our main enemy is the United States. As for Canada and the other countries - we have no historical enmity with them. But if they want to come here as fighting forces, we will view them just as we view the Americans, and will conduct resistance against them. But if they return to where they came from, and withdraw their forces from here, we will not view them like the Americans, but as countries which we have nothing to do with."
When I left work this morning, there it was on the front page of the
Toronto Sun:
GTA Terror Sweep:
In a stunning development yesterday, police made a sweeping terrorist bust within the GTA and expected to make several more arrests throughout the night.
"The RCMP, CSIS and the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team arrested individuals throughout the GTA today in relation to terrorist-related offences," confirmed RCMP spokesman Corp. Michele Paradis.
As of about 9 p.m. last night, Paradis also added "there are ongoing arrests."
Though unconfirmed, sources have told the Sun police arrested a possible home-grown al-Qaeda terrorist cell operating in Toronto that had planned to bomb the subway as early as Monday.
Home grown terrorists tranining in home grown training camps:
Police had been watching several alleged terrorist camps since 2004 -- one of which is reported to be in the Muskokas near Bracebridge and another near Thunder Bay, a police source told Warmington late last night.
"Recently some officers followed two men who left the camp near Thunder Bay and headed to Toronto," said the source.
Another Sun source said there was a similar "terrorist" camp near Barry's Bay -- within an hour's drive of several Ontario nuclear operations.
There are reports that the suspects were "amassing weapons" -- including explosives.
Now we return to something curious:
But sources also tell the Sun that the RCMP "planted" that story [see first paragraph of this post] with the media, though reasons remain unclear.
It is regrettable that this cat was let out of the bag, and if this item is true, the "source" should be disciplined.
Iraq fired a Scud missile into Kuwait shortly after the invasion into Iraq began. A CNN correspondence told the world precisely where the missile landed -- not thinking that the information would be of value to the Iraqis and help them correct their aim.
I don't want to seem overly harsh on this, but one of the hardest parts about being a terror and war blogger is that sometimes the dots line up and you gasp "Wow!" and rush off to the keyboard ... only to realize that, if you truly care about helping the war effort, you can not publish your Eureka moment.
We aren't supposed to give out operational information! (Yes, I know, the U.S. news media violates that dictum as a matter of routine. Shoot them. Please.)
There will be a press conference this morning at 10 a.m. EDT. and it should be fascinating. I'm certain Newsbeat1 will quickly provide links as to what information is given out if you can't watch it yourself.
Today is moving day and I'll be losing internet access at some point. More later (Toronto hydro, the cable company and Bell Canada willing.)
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"Loose lips sink ships." (meaning ours, not the enemies'). You've made a good call. One thing we can do is put their Jihadist literature on Front Street--authors, publishers, sellers, names, addresses, and phone numbers. They don't like that at all, because the Party Line is "Islam is a Religion of Peace" and "There is no compulsion in Religion." Show the world ALL the cards in their hands!
Posted by: Timbre at June 05, 2006 01:57 AM (9GojP)
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May 29, 2006
TTC wildcat strike offends Mayor Miller
May 29 - Another glorious day in Toronto, and a
really great day to skip work as Toronto buses, streetcars and the subway are not running due to a wildcat strike, and despite the fact that
Toronto transit workers were ordered back to work, the system still isn't running.
This is definitely a laugh-cry stituation. Despite the personal inconvenience this may cause as I head for work tonight, our labour-friendly mayor certainly looked foolish on the news this morning and even as I write he is assuming a tough stance on CP24 but is coming off sounding petulant.
How could they do this to him? He's pro-union, by golly, and here they are making him look bad.
But there's some confusion as to what exactly triggered the shutdown:
Union officials warned of a possible strike on the weekend, claiming management was not properly addressing the concerns of employees.
Maintenance workers reportedly instigated the strike, and other employees followed suit.
The union earlier claimed management had locked out some employees, but management disputed the allegations.
The cease and desist order hasn't achieved much because:
[Toronto Transit Commission general manager Rick] Ducharme said the illegal picketers are waiting to hear from their union leader and its executives, who Ducharme has not been able to contact for negotiations.
According to one report, the union is currently in a meeting with the Ontario Labour Board.
The story is being updating continuously on the CTV link.
Obviously this whole mess is clearly Howard ("terrorists can't find Toronto on the map") Moscoe's fault.
13:16 - It's also Moscoe's fault that the time stamp on today's posts are screwy. Clearly I didn't write this at 5:17 a.m.! I'm adjusting the times now.
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May 28, 2006
Rally in Toronto for illegal immigrants rights
May 28 - It was inevitable, I suppose, that rallies in the U.S. demanding rights for illegal immigrants would trigger similar ones up here. 500 attended a
rally for immigrants' rights in Toronto yesterday:
The protesters, who gathered outside the OISE building on Bloor St., chanted "No one is illegal," and "Status for all." The rally and march was one of several across Canada yesterday.
"We want an end to the detentions, deportations and use of security certificates," said Zima Zerehi, a spokesman for No One is Illegal Toronto.
Zerehi said studies show about 500,000 illegal immigrants live in Canada with 80,000 in Toronto.
If we apply the 10:1 ratio when comparing Canadian figures to those for the U.S., that would approximate 5 million illegal immigrants in Canada and 800,000 in Toronto.
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Actually, I'm an American who just returned yesterday from a work-related conference in Montreal last week. You may (or may not) be surprised to learn that the numbers stated there said that your city of Toronto was comprised of nearly 5o% non-Canadiaqn born people (immigrants.) And those are just the legal numbers!
Posted by: Heather at May 28, 2006 09:11 PM (FCH0n)
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Thanks, Heather. I didn't realize the numbers were that high, but no, it doesn't really surprise me.
You pretty much nailed it on your blog about the snobby folk in Montreal, and I'd only add one thing: a lot of them despise English-Canadians almost as much as they hate us Americans.
Posted by: Debbye at May 28, 2006 09:45 PM (0PiUT)
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I'm not sure if the figure for non-Canadian born is that high but Toronto is set to become over 50% non-white. Doesn't bother me since the overwhelming number of immigrants are hard working, well educated people. FWIW, my neighbourhood is now largely Chinese.
Debbye:
I grew up in Montreal and visit my mother six to eight times a year so I tend to stay in touch with Montreal. Although officially the Quebecois express dislike at the U.S., in reality they dislike the Anglos much more. One just has to see how the various Quebec governments (particularly the PQ) suck up to the Americans when it comes to trade and tourism. There is also a great difference between Montreal and the rest of Quebec. Montreal also has a large immigrant population who have little time for the "pur laine" politics of the PQ and other nationalists. Inded it was the immigrants (or ethnics as Parizeau called them) that decided the last referendum. I've largely forgotton my French but never receive any trouble in Montreal.
OTH - you couldn't get me to move back there for anything.
Posted by: John B at May 29, 2006 09:25 AM (3RGzm)
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Well said, John. It's not where you come from but what you bring within you that matters. I too am a "non-Canadian birth" resident in Toronto (although I maintain that I live in Etobicoke!)
I admit it: I have a bad attitude toward Quebec, Montreal, and the country of France, but Quebeckers at least had the decency to desert the Liberal Party after the extent of their corruption was revealed -- unlike the posers in Toronto.
Posted by: Debbye at May 29, 2006 10:03 AM (p9j1d)
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You and me both, John. Montreal for a visit maybe, but I*m staying here on Vancouver Island.
Next time you visit Montreal, be sure to rent a metal detector and scan the horse trails on Mount Royal.
You'll clean up. Anyone who tries this and makes money, be sure to mention how well you do at;
http://TonyGuitar.blogspot.com TG
Posted by: TonyGuitar at May 30, 2006 10:54 AM (2GVBQ)
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May 12, 2006
Would they change the meters if the GST went up?
May 12 - The Ontario government just passed the budget which included a provision increasing the terms for Toronto elected officials from 3 to 4 years. (It's disturbing that the budget included this provision and even more disturbing that the province could do this without even consulting the people of Toronto; in most if not all U.S. cities such a civic matter would be on a city ballot but what can I say? The amagamation of Toronto was also ordered by the provincial government. Centralized authority is a fact of life up here.)
Meanwhile, the minority Conservative federal government is honouring an election promise to reduce the Goods and Services Tax. It's going down by 1%, bringing the federal tax down to 6% (the provincial tax stays at 8%) (yes, people in Ontario pay 15% tax) but now it has been suggested that Cabbies could keep GST cut:
Councillor Howard Moscoe said yesterday that cabbies will have to pay $35 to have taxi meters adjusted to reflect the cut, which kicks in July 1.
They will also lose half a day of work while the meters are reset, he said.
"It just makes sense to leave the meter rates as they are," Moscoe said. "There are going to be those who argue that we're denying people their GST rebate, but in this case, it's not practical to do."
The issue of raising fares to offset the tax cut will be dealt with at next month's meeting of the city's planning and transportation committee. The city sets cab fares in Toronto.
Moscoe noted that the Toronto Parking Authority has already determined it will not pass the GST break on to its customers.
I don't think it makes sense (I mean the part about the cabbies. The Toronto Parking Authority will pocket the extra money and smugly congratulate themselves.)
Surely had the federal government increased the GST the cabbies (and whoever services parking ticket machines) would have found the means to adjust the meters! And isn't the cost for adjusting the meters tax deductible?
Also, why do they need to raise cab fares to offset the tax cut -- the taxes are paid directly to the federal government and are not income.
This city is one weird place.
I have to be back at work at 3:30 this afternoon, so be sure to log onto Newsbeat1 regularly for news and pundit links.
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In a similar vien, On site pictures and text together do deliver a very real and immediate
over all flavour.
http://MichaelTotten.com
TG
Posted by: TonyGuitar at May 12, 2006 11:01 PM (2GVBQ)
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May 10, 2006
The sad story of Cecilia Zhang
May 10 - As did many others, I tried to spread the word when Cecilia Zhang first went missing over two years ago and I feel I should follow-up with an account of her killer's trial, but his stark account of his motivations and the events that lead to her death are so selfish and desperate that I don't know how to reconcile how I feel about the human instinct to protect children with this man's willingness to use a child as a bartering chip in an extortion scheme concocted out of his desperation to stay in Canada rather than return to China.
Here's the link (Cece's night of terror revealed) and it needs no further elaboration.
May 13 08:37 - Joe Warmington's comments on the sentence of the accused says it all.
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April 05, 2006
Doc Halladay - 88 pitches in 7-2/3 innings
Roy Halladay in home opener 2006
Picture from
Toronto Blue Jays
Apr. 5 - How about them Jays? Great home opener winning 6-3 against the Twins. And that Halladay? He tossed a mere 88 pitches allowing only 5 hits in 7-2/3 innings.
He made everyone sit up and take notice when, on the last day of the season in back in 1998, he nearly tossed a no-hitter only for the Tigers get one off him in the 9th inning (I think that is when he became known as "Doc" Halladay.) His season ended prematurely last year with a broken leg from a line drive shortly before the All-Star break and his much anticipated return last night did not disappoint more than 50,000 fans who attended the game.
And it looks like we have a closer. B.J. Ryan picked up his first save last night.
Of course the temperatures dropped last night in honour of the opener. (It's tradition!)
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Heh. Wasn't the first Jays game played in the snow?
Posted by: Tuning Spork at April 05, 2006 11:42 PM (wYbS/)
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Great memory, T.S. There was indeed a snowstorm that day. They used to play out of Exhibition Stadium, which didn't have a roof, so everyone was huddled under blankets and we looked more like football fans.
We may well have another snowfall this April too, but we'll meet it with scorn.
But the true test of toughness, of course, remains outdoor hockey games.
Posted by: Debbye at April 06, 2006 02:32 PM (9kNoh)
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And Doug Ault hit 2 home runs.
Posted by: Don at April 07, 2006 03:12 PM (atnun)
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April 03, 2006
Coffee shop incident ruled to be a fire
Apr. 3 - Terorism has been ruled out as a motive in
yesterday's incident at a downtown Tim Horton's (
Deadly Tim's blast) and, although there's a degree in comfort in that conclusion, I find the bizarre nature of the incident is even more disturbing.
The official word is that it was a fire, not an explosion. The deceased, who has not yet been identified, allegedly entered the coffee shop with a container of gasoline and took it with him to the men's washroom in the back.
The police have secured what they believe to be the car of the deceased which was found parked nearby, but other than that are releasing little information on the case. The question now is whether it was a bungled arson attempt or a suicide. Self-immolation as one's death of choice is horrific.
I try to keep track of terror attacks so of course such would be my first guess but I'm surprised that so many non-political, non-news-junkie people drew that as a conclusion. I guess that, try as we might, the terror threat really isn't that removed from our consciousness.
I confess: I double-checked my flashlight before I went to work last night to make sure it had a strong beam and wore sturdy shoes just in case.
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Gee, all the delicious rightwing hysteria and panic (and muslim-referencing) all for nothing. You must be positively
crestfallen!
Look, lil' panickin' Annie. Stay home, or at least, don't ride the subway. Last thing we all need in a real emergency is some terror-addled hysteric.
Posted by: Sane Canadian in TO. at April 03, 2006 07:01 PM (2bkb5)
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Panic? Crestfallen? You inject much into my account of this story - far more than I wrote much less felt. You really think I want this city to suffer as Madrid, Moscow and London have?
Moron. You're so determined to take shots at me you failed to grasp the pathos of someone who suffered a particularly horrible death.
You are so irrelevant.
Posted by: Debbye at April 03, 2006 07:29 PM (XlE+U)
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April 02, 2006
Explosion at Tim Horton's (Updated)
Apr. 2 -
13:36 - This just in:
Reports say one person dead in explosion in downtown Toronto Sunday at a Tim Horton's Donut Shop in Yorkville near Bloor and Yonge.
Live coverage says they still don't know what happened and unconfirmed reports say that the explosion happened in the washroom.
I'm trying not to speculate - and failing - because my mind inevitably flashes to one possible scenario.
14:39 - A police spokesman just confirmed the explosion happened somewhere near the back of the shop.
15:04 - The victim was male, and there was some sign of burns on the body.
15:34 - CP 24 just reported a witness who claims a man walked into the restroom wearing explosives. It's a beautiful day so no one is wearing winter coats (most of us are tempting the fates by wearing no coats) but even so I'd put a caution on the explosives theory just yet.
But, since it's been broached, my first thought was that someone was adjusting his explosives before boarding the subway. But I have a pretty active imagination.
15:45 - CNews seems to be updating its reports fairly regularly and they repeat the unconfirmed report from radio station AM-640 that someone wearing explosives entered the washroom shortly before the blast. That is downright bizarre; I should think an intentional bomber would at minimum attempt to conceal the explosives and pick a more populated area than a washroom or the back of a coffee shop.
It is possible that nerves are a bit jittery after the arrests of several terror suspects recently in the Toronto area and some recognize that there could be an attack for both revenge purposes and to serve as a deterrent to further arrests, or even in response to the recent offensive in Afghanistan which involves Canadian troops.
Both CBC Newsworld and CTV Newsnet are only reporting official police and fire department statements and, for Toronto area people, CP 24 has the best live coverage thus far, but it's unlikely any new information will be released soon.
16:47 - It has been confirmed that the dead man was not an employee.
I'm lazily just copying the portion of a post in progress which has news links to recent arrests (remember that an arrest is not the same as a conviction, okay?)
Truth is, I've lost track of the the growing number of Canadian terrorists that have been arrested, killed abroad, or for whom arrest warrants have been issued and far too many of which lived in the Toronto area. (Updates on Mustafa, or Murtaza, here and here.)
And then there's everyone's favourite terrorist family, the Khadr's. Omar Khadr, dubbed the "Toronto Teen" by the Star, is scheduled to face another hearing at Guantanamo and his brother Abdullah has been accused by the U.S. of supplying al-Qaida with weapons and explosives.
I've including this more to explain why so many of us are trying so damned hard
not to jump to conclusions; the Jabarah brothers come to mind as well.
I'm going out because (a) it's a beautiful day and (b) the speculation and suspense is killing me. I may counsel patience but find it hard to follow my own advice.
Newsbeat1 is staying on top of this and will likely catch new developments as soon as they break.
Apr. 3 - Police have ruled out terrorism. Update here.
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February 20, 2006
Guardian Angels in Toronto
Feb. 20 -
"You must be the change that you want to see in the world."
These words were spoken by Steve Pacquette of the
new Toronto chapter of the Guardian Angels..
The creation of the Guardian Angels up here has sparked a lot of controversy. The stated concerns are that the Guardian Angels might operate as vigilantes. I believe that there is an underlying issue, though: citizen-based groups like the Angels threaten a mentality that would have us be passive victims and wait patiently for the government to "do something" -- inevitably after things have gone wrong due to government policies.
The Guardian Angels, in fact, are like preventive medicine, and they have the potential to stop trouble before it starts simply by their presence. What's not to like and admire?
It comes down to this: should citizens step up and take responsibility for themselves and their neighbourhoods? Or, to put it another way, if we don't take responsibility then who will?
People who live in rural areas are likely smiling at all this. After all, they have a robust history of belonging to fire and police auxiliaries and all the twitter over the Guardian Angels must seem insane. Communities are stronger, not weaker, when citizens take responsibility for themselves and their city. It's just, you know, common sense.
The creation of the Guardian Angels was a major first step for the people of New York to take back their city. I earnestly hope that the sight of red berets will restore a sense of pride and dignity -- and safety -- in Parkdale.
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YEAH RIGHT....
We do not need more gangs in park dale.....
This is canada not the usa
These guys are not accountable for anything they do, and since their arrival have been pandering to the absolute lowest denominator..
I live in parkdale, have crack heads doing drugs in my alleyway, hookers on my corners and doing tricks in the shadows and theives attempting roberies weekly...
I want to see more POLICE , not a bunch of pseudo crime fighters, who in their spare time sell only a little dope and commit only a little bit of welfare fraud, when extra is needed.
Police are accountable....wanna be crime fighters are not!!
If a cop is shot at or attacked , they can return fire and force.
PRIVATE CITICENS CAN NOT!!
If a community wants to help it self ...first it must look at itself, repair the conditions that makes crime and drugs accessable, MORALS, DECENCY and CANADIAN TRADITIONAL VALUES...
not YANKEE VIGILANTEISM ..
Posted by: PARZIFAL at February 20, 2006 08:09 PM (S+a4C)
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When a viewpoint relies solely on invoking the anti-American card it doesn't deserve a response.
Posted by: Debbye at February 21, 2006 04:49 PM (qePxg)
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Good to see you back up & blogging! And I agree, Debbye, that community involvement is essential in the cleanup. I've moved to a condo in d/t Edmonton a block away from a notorious drug park (the city is trying to create a liveable d/t); however, we have police foot patrols & in my building, their cell#s are posted on all doors & entryways. If we see something while walking the dog, we call & they respond. We don't yet have areas as bad as Parkdale, but there are a few that are close (downtown obviously isn't one of them or I wouldn't be here).
Posted by: Candace at February 26, 2006 01:33 PM (cnGRY)
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Candace, it's so good to see you! You make a terrific point: the security in your condo also relies on each person taking responsibility for being alert and taking action, in this case by notifying the appropriate people.
Congratulations on your newish digs, by the way.
Posted by: Debbye at February 27, 2006 06:10 PM (oM1Oj)
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Would be very grateful if steve pacquette would contact another steve pacquette based in UK
email:stevepacquette@yahoo.com
Posted by: steve pacquette at March 01, 2006 09:16 AM (m8M8W)
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October 04, 2005
Turning the work world clock back
Oct. 4 - File this under "I'm glad it's not just me."
When I read this I tried to write a coherent post but I couldn't get past writing "why did she drag the kids out?" but I knew I was missing something.
It was a relief to learn I'm not the only one aghast at the staging of the children. Tim nails it:
DonÂ’t these idiots have any shame? Sure, people have affairs, but dragging your kids out to a press conference to parade your stupidity in front of the world borders on child abuse. What was she looking for, the child-sympathy factor?
Of course, Pam Coburn is not only a mother she's a
single mother so naturally is above reproach. /sarcasm
Then my day got even better. Tim linked to a Christine Blatchford column (just follow the Google link he provides) that is considerably more insightful than my aborted post:
Please make her stop before she completes the transformation to damsel in distress, before she turns the work world clock back even further, before she completely ruins the cherished dream that secretly sustains us all from time to time -- sin without sorrow.
[...]
In the morning yesterday, Ms. Coburn was having a press conference, to which she had inexplicably dragged her two children and at which she did not deny the dalliance but rather confirmed it (so what was the point, exactly?), and by 3 in the afternoon, with lawyer in tow, she was a guest on The John Moore Show on Toronto radio station CFRB, fielding calls from the great unwashed and even blubbering once, when some poor demented fellow, one "David," phoned in to offer his support.
David's support -- he said he was taking off his hat for her, though a crasser mind than mine would suggest perhaps he look lower down on his person -- was based on his view of Ms. Coburn as a courageous lady who was being "honest and open" and was "trapped in a system which does not accept the reality . . . that two people who work together can very easily become attracted to one another."
This was Ms. Coburn's own theme yesterday. (Emphasis added.)
Playing the single mother card was bad enough, but portraying oneself as
a woman irresistibly drawn to a colleague and unable to withstand temptation reinforces some rather ancient objections to letting women enter the work force because it would inevitably lead to hanky-panky. How freaking wonderful. Play to the belief that women are guided by their emotions rather than logic and throw in
Woman The Seductress and Homewrecker and why? because the executive director of Toronto's municipal licensing and standards department, one Pam Coburn, reveals too much without revealing the one, unassailable fact: she messed up.
If she writes a book I'll scream. I never thought I'd say this, but I actually prefer Wanda Liczyk's unbelievable denials of being involved with Dash Domi or that her past relationship with Michael Saunders made her more easily manipulated. At least it proves that we can stare 'em down and challenge them to prove the allegations.
When we marched in the '70s we demanded equal opportunities because we knew we were equal to the tasks and responsiblities. When we slip up we must take it like a man adults because if we try to wiggle out by taking refuge behind old prejudices the result, in Blatchford's words, is that it "turns the work world clock back even further."
Thanks, Pam. You're a freaking inspiration - to all those who would chase us out of managerial positions because we aren't hard-headed and shroud us in burkas because we are too prone to lead other astray.
(No, I'm not voting for Hillary in any year. She had her eight years in the White House - "two for one" - and we had Sept. 11. Ordering Arafat outside to smoke his cigars doesn't qualify as "taking a firm stand against terrorism.")
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Reminds me of Blanco's crying in front of the cameras. I think the people of Louisiana would have much rather had a governor who WOULD DO SOMETHING OTHER THAN CRY!
Posted by: Jay at October 05, 2005 01:27 AM (PIbeE)
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Re: "when some poor demented fellow, one "David," phoned in to offer his support."
More likely he was trying to pick her up. I have been trying to avoid following this issue because it's so tawdry. EVERY management book I have ever read has cautioned about office romances. She's an idiot plain and simple, Jerry Springer here we come.
Posted by: John B at October 05, 2005 10:48 AM (ju7Wp)
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Bringing your kids to a public admission that you were suckin' face with one of your cow-orkers? That is plain just wrong! The common wisdom is "don't defecate where you eat." Are there no disciplined, honorable public figures any more?
Re Hillary and cigars; she had had experience with cigar smokers. With Arafat's rumored proclivities, I would think that his would have been places that Bill's hadn't been!
Posted by: DoubtingThomas at October 05, 2005 03:40 PM (YD54c)
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Excellent connection, Jay. Yes, the tearful confession is a great way to deflect reponsibility! /sarcasm
She offered another lovely excuse: the City of Toronto doesn't have guidelines for how to avoid conflicts of interests for office romances. "Don't do it" would have been the advice of most of us.
John and Thomas, that's great snark! Indeed, this whole things is so stupid that it's hard not to laugh.
Posted by: Debbye at October 05, 2005 07:53 PM (/SuiK)
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September 25, 2005
Pizza and guns
Sept. 25 - Long ago I desisted from reporting on gun crimes in Toronto. There may have been a slender window of opportunity to crack down on the gangs, but I think that time has passed and gangs are securely entrenched.
But when I wonder about the money and resources that have been squandered on the useless gun registry, the reduced number of personnel in the RCMP and Toronto Police who actually work on capturing criminals, and the seeming inability of border guards to control weapons imports and keep previously deported criminals out of Canada, I realize that I really should have majored in Compiling Data from Diverse Sources to Present Myth-Busting Papers instead of History. Unfortunately, numbers induce a deer-caught-in-headlights response from me so I may believe these things are connected but can't yank up numbers to prove it.
Back on topic. It's been a long, bloody summer here, but you people outside of Toronto can rest assured that Toronto City Council is doing nothing everything they can to end the bloodshed.
The shooting death of a child last summer was hailed as "The Last Straw" by our intrepid mayor, so I suppose this latest can't really be called "the last straw" but maybe this will be "the really last straw" or "the really really last straw" ( Cops review tape in hunt for gunmen who shot one 17- and one 18-year old as they stood at a counter ordering pizza.)
(N.B.: I don't know the colour of the victims in this case and, quite frankly, I don't care: it's irrelevant. Two men were shot and they shouldn't have been shot. The other patrons in the pizza shop shouldn't have been forced to dive for cover and the owner and staff shouldn't have to endure the trauma of returning to work in the following days, relive the incident and see bullet holes. I really hope that sounds judgemental because I am!)
23:31 - It's not just Toronto, by the way. Read this, ponder the questions, and follow the link.
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I'd encourage you not to report on gun crimes in Toronto because it's not a particularly worrying story. There have been 41 gun-related homicides in 2005 thus far, up from 27 in all of 2004. In 2003 it was 31. Considering that crimes rates are lower than they were 10, 20 or 30 years ago (http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/050721/d050721a.htm), and that the vast majority of homicides are criminals shooting other criminals, why should we be worried?
Posted by: Darren at September 26, 2005 01:44 AM (9aklK)
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Well, I'm so glad you're not worried Darren. I guess you are fine living in a society that cheapens life. Because that's what happens when you let the scum rule the streets. Sure, at first they are just shooting each other and you chuckle because they're doing what the courts wouldn't do and it's one less drug dealer on the street. And so what if a stray bullet or two kills an innocent bystander. But eventually the scum realize the law isn't doing much about them and they become more brazen. The scum terrorize the law-abiding people of the communities in which they live. How often do you hear nowadays about witnesses to murders that are unwilling to cooperate with the police? Why do you think that is Darren?
As for citing crime statistics that are declining, remember it's the STATISTICS that are declining not necessarily the crime. Ever have your car broken into? The first time it happens, as a somewhat naive law-abiding citizen you dutifully report it to the police and you are surprised that they don't seem all that bothered. They don't come out to the "scene of the crime" and take fingerprints or any of that neat stuff you see on CSI. I mean, isn't that what they are supposed to do? To you, this is a serious crime - you've been violated. To the police it's nothing. All you get from them is a file number that you can use to report it to your insurance company. And maybe you were just naive enough to file a claim with the insurance company and then promptly saw your rates increase. Now just what do you think you're going to do the next time somebody breaks into your car? Like, why bother?
So when someone starts citing crime statistics, take it with a grain of salt because not all crime gets reported. Victims learn pretty quickly what types of crime get police attention and learn to just shrug off the rest.
Posted by: TimR at September 26, 2005 02:56 AM (OT1mh)
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Tim R is providing you with a keen insight to policing in Canada today. Read and re-read and understand to your benefit.
Managing an Apartment complex in rural town Vancouver Island, my eyes were opened to a much adjusted picture of what [the RCMP in this case], were up against in keeping the peace in any community.
Well that's just it. Keeping the peace is the priority above all else.
Calming domestics first and then teen gang face offs and lastly bar fights.
Property crime comes in a distant second.
As usual it comes down to money. If so much of our tax dollar was not being siphoned off through TPC; 2.9 billion, and Adscam; unknown Billions with monies going to Hotel and golf course complexes in Shawinigan Quebec to untold wealth being socked away in investigative immune secret trusts, there may have been enough funding to pay for a better level of property crime policing.
As it is, teens who dabble in auto and house break-ins and who are not penalized are then candidates for more serious crimes. There is a severe cost to both citizens and teens when the Martin Government can not afford to apply corrections through penalties that our laws call for.
BTW.. more good advice. Property management looks easy on the surface, but be warned, it is anything but easy and it is also one of the most thankless jobs you would ever have the luck to avoid.
When the building owner provides you with papers of eviction to serve on a tenant, and that tenant is so ignorant as to imagine you are personally picking on him and he lashes out and punches you in the face, what kind of justice is that?
What kind of justice is it when the constable collects evidence, [broken tooth], lays a charge wins a conviction, and the judge lets the perp off?
That violent person now understand he can smash people in the face and go scott free.
We better get that Whistle-Blower Protection law Bill C-11 in place soon, http:// BendGovt.blog.ca , so revenues are safe guarded and we can afford the policing quality we once had in the 60s. 73s TG
Posted by: TonyGuitar at September 26, 2005 04:24 AM (rmMzv)
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You all realize that this "bloody summer" is nothing more that hype, right? Toronto's murder rate is almost always 50-70 a year. Metro homicide decetives usually spilt the difference and say "60 a year" Still very low for a city of 3-4 million people.
Also, the "dark figure of crime" (unreported crime) that TimR touches on is something that is usually considered by insurance and law enforcement agencies as well, and included in "unoffical" statistics. So they do know what the REAL crime is. And its still failrly low for a city of 3-4 million people
(Nowhere near the United States murder rates with its oh-so free gunlaws.)
Posted by: Booyah at September 26, 2005 02:06 PM (9IWjG)
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Tim: I'll be glad to listen to your argument when you've got some facts to back it up. Can you provide any studies, reports or other evidence that, in fact, crime reporting rates have declined. On the contrary, I've read that rape reports, for example, have increased significantly in recent years (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3074845.stm).
I'd be curious to see any unbiased evidence that supports your thesis.
Posted by: Darren at September 26, 2005 04:02 PM (En2TU)
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What seems to be overlooked by those who rush to dowplay the danger is what these gun battles are doing to the people who are forced to live with it.
Imagine: a generation is growing up believing that gang warfare is "normal."
Before you judge, consider how you would explain to your child why gunfire erupted during a birthday party.
Tell your child you'd rather they not go to a basketball court until the blood stains fade.
These murders and attempted murders are taking place openly - day and night - and attempts to minimalize it are either cowardly (see "afraid of being accused of racism so better to let young black men die") or indifference to wrongful death.
The good news: the pious "if it saves one life" intonations are revealed as utter hypocrisy.
Posted by: Debbye at September 26, 2005 04:02 PM (lAkT8)
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Many eons ago, I lived in the vicinity of Toronto the Good. Somebody in the Toronto Police suggested that a task force dedicated to combating crime gangs organized on ethnicity be formed to stop these gangs before they got a toehold. That guy was chastised, as forming such a group would be saying that some immigrants committed crimes. Guess what? He was right, and the barn door can't be closed now. We Canadians are "stuck on stupid!"
Posted by: DoubtingThomas at September 26, 2005 10:40 PM (YD54c)
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"Long ago I desisted from reporting on gun crimes in Toronto. There may have been a slender window of opportunity to crack down on the gangs, but I think that time has passed and gangs are securely entrenched."
Why are you just recycling gibberish from the late 80s/early 90s? Seriously, read some newspapers from about 15 years ago when the murder rate in Toronto spiked and read all the hysterical gibberish they wrote that you're now repeating.
Posted by: Robert McClelland at September 27, 2005 12:21 AM (J5A03)
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Booyah, [2:06pm] You made some interesting comments but then you jumped to this conclusion:
Nowhere near the United States murder rates
with its oh-so free gunlaws.
Maybe you are a young person, but the registry made no difference whatever. Canada always had that same murder ratio rate with or without it.
Gun laws seem to have very little effect on murder rates. Many other factors have far more to do with it. 73s TG
Posted by: TonyGuitar at September 27, 2005 12:55 AM (rmMzv)
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Doubting Thomas, [10:40pm] Every word correct.. I'm coming aboard to ride with you. '3s TG
Posted by: TonyGuitar at September 27, 2005 01:02 AM (rmMzv)
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Darren, it's a bit difficult to prove a negative, isn't it? I, for one, did the police report on a car breakin years ago in Vancouver (#3,4?? in January), and since then, when locks jammed from attempted entry or windows broken & CDs stolen, I just fixed or replaced them. It wasn't worth the hassle.
As for the report of rapes rising, keep in mind that it is STILL the most-under-reported crime, and likely always will be.
Here's hoping that the next time you go for pizza isn't your last.
Posted by: Candace at September 27, 2005 01:15 AM (Q0CaQ)
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Really? Nationwide Stats
Canada:
Murder Rate:
0.01 per 1000 people (489 (2000))
Firearm Murder Rate: (165 (1999))
0.00 per 1000 people
United States:
Murder Rate
12,658 (1999) 0.04 per 1000 people
Fire Arm Murder Rate
8,259 (1999) 0.02 per 1000 people
Before you start splitting hairs over .01 differences, The United States ranked as 24th out of 62 nations. Which according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention, puts it above average. (in countries w/o an armed conflict going on). For Firearms murders, it is 4th in the world.
Source: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/cri_mur_cap
Land of the free...gun laws.
NOTE: Before you start playing with the stats TG, i'd like to remind you that these are murders. They do not include suicides and accidental firearms deaths. Canada's per capaita rates "shoot up" when those are factored in, but guess what? So does the United States.
Posted by: Booya at September 28, 2005 11:01 PM (2aFej)
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Booya, I'd be interested to see a breakdown of those statistics by state. The highest gun crime rates in the US are in jurisdictions with tight gun control, up to and including DC, where handguns are essentially illegal.
Posted by: Dave J at September 29, 2005 11:50 PM (8XpMm)
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April 23, 2005
To the polls! (C'mon, you know you want to.)
Apr. 23 - The impact of Adscam is finally returning to the one arena that most needs to be challenged: the Ontario voter. I say "returning" because when Ontarians went to the polls last year far too many of them surrendered to the
devil they knew and returned the Liberal Party to power - albeit limited as other Canadians were less willing to consort with that devil.
There's no getting around it: Quebeckers punished the Liberal Party. Albertans punished the Liberal Party. The Liberal Party leads a minority government because some Ontarians punished the Liberal Party but those in greater Toronto area did not - and the mayor of Toronto is setting the stage for us to be bribed - again:
"It would be very serious," he told reporters Saturday. "It would cost us, directly, $40 to $50 million this year. That's equivalent to about a four per cent tax hike. And indirectly, tens of millions more."
The impact would only get worse in succeeding years, he said.
Miller is worried about his city's share of federal gas tax revenue promised by the Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin.
The Toronto Star newspaper published an editorial Saturday opposing an early election. The newspaper said if the Martin government were defeated without the budget being passed, it would cost Canada's cities $600 million in lost gas tax revenue.
We've all read the accusations that Quebec holds Canada for ransom and that rivers of federal money flow into Quebec, but Quebeckers refused to be bribed in the last federal election. I wish I could say the same for Ontario.
Kateland recognizes the tip of an iceberg when she sees it:
Adscam only represents one Liberal run government program. If this is how the Liberals ran the sponsorship program in Quebec; whatÂ’s to say that all the other liberal government programs in Quebec and the rest of the country are not run the same way? Think GUN REGISTRY or STRIPPERGATE for starters. Adscam is only where they got caught holding the smoking gun - not evidence of innocence.
Let's take it even further. If
Benoit Corbeil's statements are true, the Liberal Party systematically set out to destroy the Progressive Conservative Party in Quebec and see to it that the Liberal Party and Canada became synonymous. What's to say they didn't also try to subvert the democratic process in other provinces?
Joe Clark, the last leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party, actually endorsed Paul Martin and the Liberal Party over Stephen Harper and the newly merged Conservative Party of Canada one year ago. Greg Weston wrote a column last May in which he accused some very senior Tories of making a secret deal with the Liberal Party in the 2000 election to secure Clark's re-election in return for securing Alberta Liberal Anne McLellan's re-election - and then some:
Two weeks before Jean Chretien called the country to the polls in October 2000, reliable sources say, a small group of top Tory officials cut a secret deal to help Chretien's ultimately successful national campaign for a third majority government.
In return, the Liberals agreed to throw the vote in the Calgary Centre riding of then Tory leader Joe Clark.
In what may have been a series of similar deals, sources say the Tories also agreed to "stand down" to help Liberal Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan hang on to her Edmonton seat, which she won by only 733 votes.
Sources refuse to divulge details of what, exactly, the Tories agreed to do for the Liberals. One would say only that the deal "without question, helped them (the Liberals) nationally."
Another tool in the Liberal Party bag has been bribery of provincial governments by means of transfer payments to provinces - and that means they can also
withhold transfer payments to punish provincial governments.
People should be outraged that the government give or withholds their money according to "correct voting," (it isn't that different from the kind of tactic that people like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe uses.) Nevertheless, the Liberal party was elected in Ontario with a general expectation that the federal Liberal party would loosen the purse-strings more readily for their provincial cousins than they had for the Progressive Conservative-led government and once the Liberals were installed, the federal government re-opened talks about extra money for Ontario - and nobody so much as blushed.
Kateland analyzed the reaction to Martin's pathetic speech April 22:
My conclusion was that the typical Ontarian will give him [Paul Martin] kudos and high marks for stating the obvious and delivering it with obvious sincerity. ..
Will that work? Canadians are neither naturally politicos or idealistic. We tend to take people at their word rather than judging them by their actions. I think the most common phrase in Canada is that “he means well.” That excuses all.
Here in Toronto, people desperately need that excuse so they can do the math from a high moral ground:
"he meant well"
+
"he'll give us money"
Toronto votes Liberal.
This should be easy, because it is for that monetary incentive that they voted Liberal last year. (Sheesh, sex workers have more brains than had the average Torontonian voter because they demand to be paid before rendering service.) The only question is how easily Torontonians can be fooled twice.
Martin's plea to let him "clean up the mess" sounds very reasonable unless you're alert like Laurent and remember a 1995 assertion from then Minister of Finance Paul Martin:
The problem is that Paul Martin has been claiming for the last 10 years that he was cleaning up. As soon as his 1995 budget speech, he claimed that he had introduced "a new and much tighter system to manage its spending" and that his first priority was to "eliminate waste and abuse and ensure value for Canadian taxpayers." We saw the results.
1995 was also the year of the referendum vote in Quebec and the the
Liberal conspiracy to destroy the Progressive Conservative Party which was one of the goals for which the Sponsorship Program was designed. The question is inevitable: did Martin tighten the system or loosen it so that Adscam could proceed undetected for several years?
One of Benoit Corbeil's assertions was that lawyers worked for Liberal party candidates with the expectation of receiving appointments to the bench. (Kind of a neat Canadian twist on "will work for food," eh?) Damian Penny and Bob Tarantino write eloquently of their outrage so I won't cover the same ground here.
I seem to be the only person I've read that liked Duceppe's rebuttal last Thursday (and I'm disappointed that CTV didn't see fit to post the text to his speech yet included NDP Leader Jack Layton's) but my impression of Duceppe's remarks was that he appealed to Canadians to restore honesty to the Canadian government, and however cynical one might be about the Bloc Quebecois, there really isn't much we can say to urge Quebec to stay in Canada especially as voting Liberal would be to condone the dirty tactics they used in Quebec which gave a whole new meaning to the phrase "special relationship."
Maybe it's because I'm coming at this whole thing with an American anti-federalist (i.e., pro-States rights, pro-provincial rights) attitude. I can completely sympathize with the desires of both Quebeckers and Albertans to be free of a federal government that increasingly usurps power from provincial governments, takes the revenues of the provinces and then uses that same money to reward or punish according to how the electorate votes.
But this is the interesting part: I think that Ontario and Toronto will get a better deal from the Conservative Party than the Liberals can offer. The Liberals can be fairly confident that, as Toronto voters love platitudes and scare pretty easily, the election is in the bag for them so they can afford to make promises they don't intend to keep, but Conservative MPs would, if elected, have to go extra lengths to meet their promises in order to be re-elected and retain power.
Ah, power. It really is all about power, but there seems to be a perverse disinclination in Canada to examine the pursuit of power. Maybe that's why "he meant well" has such traction and why people seem actually surprised that the Liberal party is as corrupt as it is, and maybe that's why Torontonians, under the veneer of their sophistication, are stupid voters.
The Liberal Party has ruled Canada with unchallenged arrogance for 12 years -- how could anyone realistically expect them not to be corrupt? It defies logic, psychology and history. Mark Steyn puts it succinctly:
In a one-party state, the one party in power attracts not those interested in the party, but those interested in power.
In an age when there is so much talk about empowerment it seems beyond strange that more people don't understand power - personal or political.
It looks as though the Conservative Party is putting together a slate (Conservatives line up high-profile candidates) and, if you can believe anything Layton says, he isn't selling out to the Liberal Party but is willing to go with the proposed Liberal budget if they meet his demands to, er, fight smog (and, socialist to the end, drop plans for a tax rebate cut for businesses.)
Although I don't know if Toronto will vote Liberal or Conservative (or Green, NDP or even Rhinosaurus) I do think it urgently necessary that an election be held now rather than later. Those who vote to oust the Liberals will at least have the knowledge that they personally did not give tacit approval to corruption.
Fighting isn't only about winning, but about reclaiming honour, self-respect and human dignity. People who give into outrage without a fight lose more than those who lose a fight: damage to the spirit lasts longer than bruises and, knowing they wimped out, it gets harder to fight back as each subsequent outrage piles higher like stones on a burial cairn.
(Globe and Mail and Reuters links via Neale News.)
Apr. 24 - 07:56: Criminey, even CNN has noticed that the Liberals are desperate to forge a deal with the NDP and that Bono is disappointed in Martin.
18:12 - I should have read Sari before I posted; she articulates what I felt about Duceppe:
Duceppe had me wishing - not for the first time - that he wasn't on the wrong side, because as usual he stole the show with a fantastic opening line to his speech, something to the effect of "the last time a prime minister addressed the nation, it was 1995 and Chretien was fighting to save Canada; this time, Martin's fighting to save the Liberals". He picked up votes for sure.
It is surprisingly possible that separatist sentiments in the West and Quebec will end up saving Canada by forcing the federal government to return those powers to the provinces which were originally apportioned to them in the Constutution - including health care - and restore the notion of local control over local concerns. Of course, that would mean less power concentrated in Ottawa ...
Apr. 25 - 11:00: RJ at Thoughtcrimes.ca has a key observervation about Duceppe:
Duceppe does not have to maneuver for position nationally as do Martin, Harper, and Layton, so that gives him a bit more room to step up and be statesmanlike. He talked about how the BQ are not supporters of federalism, but that the BQ had pledged to work within the system.
Key to both Harper and Duceppe's speeches was the distinction that the scandal allegations emerging from the Gomery Inquiry are Liberal scandals--not Quebec scandals. An important point that will continue to get much play from both BQ and CPC talking heads over the next few weeks.
The Meatriarchy
may reflect the thoughts of many Canadians on Duceppe:
Duceppe - well I didnÂ’t really listen to him. Although the bit I caught he sounded better than usual. If anyone is growing in stature through this thing itÂ’s him.
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Excellent post Debbye. I am absolutely amazed that 36% of Ontario voters still say they support this corrupt and morally bankrupt Liberal party.
Clearly the battle will be won or lost in Ontario. We have a lot of work to do to convince our fellow citizens that there is no future in voting Liberal again and again.
We keep hearing that no one wants an election. Hell, I don't want an election - but Canada needs an election. And the sooner the better.
Posted by: Bill at April 24, 2005 09:15 AM (utOoq)
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I'm with you all the way, so I'll engaged in semantic terminological hairsplitting instead.
"...I'm coming at this whole thing with an American anti-federalist (i.e., pro-States rights, pro-provincial rights) attitude."
The original anti-federalists were the people (like Patrick Henry) who opposed ratifying the US Constitution. The term "federalism" in the US means supporting autonomy for the states (e.g., the Federalist Society, made up of rightwing law students of whom I was one when I was in law school), so a modern "anti-federalist" would be a centralizer. Or not: it's just an ambiguous phrase.
Posted by: Dave J at April 24, 2005 01:25 PM (kLLbt)
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Hey Debbye, Whew! Quite a post.
"I seem to be the only person I've read that liked Duceppe's rebuttal last Thursday (and I'm disappointed that CTV didn't see fit to post the text to his speech yet included NDP Leader Jack Layton's) but my impression of Duceppe's remarks was that he appealed to Canadians to restore honesty to the Canadian government... &"
I think the reason that many of us pay little attention to Duceppe is that we have already factored Quebec independence into the equation. Quebec is, de facto, independent. We don't care any more. Therefore, whatever the leader of the BQ or the PQ may have to say about Canada is just background noise. Now, we Canadians want to talk about our future amongst ourselves. The opinions of Duceppe or of the President of Ethiopia may be spot on, but they are of little tangible consequence.
Posted by: keith at April 24, 2005 04:58 PM (HRjgG)
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Unholy coalition, Batman!
Paul Martin and NDP leader Jack Layton are meeting today to hammer out a coalition deal between the Liberals and the NDP. In return for his support of the Liberal government, Layton demands, among other things, that corporate tax cuts promised in the current budget be removed.
Jack Layton has political suicide written all over his face - and that of his party. How foolish do you have to be to agree to strike a deal with a party that the whole country knows has been engaged in criminal activities? Could it be that Layton wants to get his share of the Liberal loot? Did he feel left out in the mafia games played by the Liberals for years? Is he miffed because he has never been invited to one of those Italian restaurants in Montréal to collect one of the money-filled envelopes left on a table in a dark corner?
Right on the heels of Paul Martin's TV speech, Layton felt the need to establish once and for all that the NDP is also entitled to be part of the mafia family. He clearly wants a seat at the table of the district bosses and divvy up the loot.
Let's see how smart (Ontario) voters will be during the next election. But given the fact that more and more Ontarians are swinging towards the Conservatives, and away from the Liberals and the NDP, it could very well happen that voters may leave a horse's head on Layton's pillow or dump him in Lake Ontario with a pair of cement shoes.
Remember one thing, Jack: if you lie down with dogs, you'll wake up with fleas.
Posted by: Calgary Cafe at April 24, 2005 05:49 PM (UVWco)
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Duceppe is a formidable politician, and he certainly outshone everyone else on the stage that night in terms of the statesmanship he displayed.
Posted by: RJ at April 25, 2005 10:17 AM (voaoa)
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Is anyone digging into where the money went on the Gun Registry? Because it's flat-out impossible that that much money was spent on, well, developing a Gun Registry.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at April 25, 2005 10:50 AM (+S1Ft)
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Dave, you're probably right, I am not an anti-federalist in the 18th c. sense but I find the ever-growing size of the U.S. federal government very alarming, and the Canadian federal government is even larger (comparative to populations.)
Actually, the proper term up here for the union of the provinces is confederation, which for obvious reasons I'm even less likely to use.
Pixy, deep respect to you and all Australians on ANZAC Day.
In terms of the gun registry, evidently the software cost a million dollars. (Stop laughing! there are actually people up here who believe that figure credible.) Also, the government waged an
advertising campaign to fight opposition to the registry.
The Gomery Inquiry is not mandated to look at anything besides the Sponsorship Program, but maybe an election will open the doors to a few more questions.
Posted by: Debbye at April 25, 2005 11:06 AM (36r6u)
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RJ, great post! I read it shortly before I went to work last night but was running too late to link right then. It hadn't occurred to me that Duceppe had more manuevering room precisely because he has no need to run a national campaign, and he could play an interesting role if the media covers his campaign in Quebec.
Posted by: Debbye at April 25, 2005 11:14 AM (36r6u)
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March 30, 2005
MPs must learn about the sex trade abroad
Mar. 30 - Five upstanding, hardworking Members of Parliament plan to spend $200,000 visiting brothels in Europe and the USA.
Don't worry, it's legit. Really. The MPs are members of a federal committee that is reviewing prostitution laws (some people, including sex workers, believe the trade should be legal and taxed.)
An MPP (member of provincial parliament) made the federal MPs a counter offer: MPP Peter Kormos (NDP) [said] "We're talking about five federal members on a junket touring European whorehouses at a cost of $40,000 each," Kormos said yesterday. "I can take anyone of them down to Bridge St. in Niagara Falls and get them laid for less than $50."
Give up the glories of "Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden and Nevada" for a weekend trip to Niagara Falls? Save the taxpayers the unnecessary expense of travel abroad when the "research" could be done in our own backyard?
Calgary Sun columnist Rick Bell does a nice bit of commentary on this in Merry mission. As he says, "For once, call it what it is. The $200,000 sin city soiree, the vice-is-nice world tour, one jolly junket."
He also has some questions about other aspects of the spending:
The cash to cruise goes to five MPs and three staff for transportation, hotel, food and ... I hate this word ... miscellaneous. In this case, miscellaneous means money for interpreters, gifts and fees. Gifts and fees? Are there going to be receipts?
It's almost a relief to be able to laugh at them again ... does all this indicate that elected officials believe they're in office for a
good time, not a long time?
Apr. 12 - The trip may be off.
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"MPP Peter Kormos (NDP) [said] "We're talking about five federal members on a junket touring European whorehouses at a cost of $40,000 each," Kormos said yesterday. "I can take anyone of them down to Bridge St. in Niagara Falls and get them laid for less than $50."
Yes, that sounds like vintage Peter Kormos. Bob Rae's best line ever concerned giving Kormos a cabinet position early in Rae's term. He quoted President Johnson as saying in a similar situation that he would rather have a certain person inside the tent pissing out rather than outside the tent and pissing in. Rae also added that with Kormos he got someone inside the tent pissing in. Kormos didn't last long in cabinet.
Posted by: John B at March 30, 2005 05:07 PM (ju7Wp)
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I'm actually agreeing with something a NDPer said,amazing.
Posted by: big al at April 01, 2005 10:52 AM (SO/54)
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March 20, 2005
Spring and the TTC
Mar. 20 - It's officially spring. It's been a pleasure to see the beginnings of dawn as I leave work and view full rosy dawn as the subway pulls out of Kipling station.
I can glare at the snow banks and think You Are Doomed! Doomed!
On a dour note, is it just me or has TTC service really sucked lately?
I hope the drivers aren't indulging in a little pre-strike action of their own. I think, given the chance, most riders would gladly dump the members of the Transit Commission. We'd even burn them in effigy if service would improve as a result.
Just some thoughts as I prepare to start my work week (which starts in a little over an hour.)
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Debbye, you Americans are altogether too violent a people.
Just look at your own language.
"I think, given the chance, most riders would gladly dump the members of the Transit Commission. We'd even burn them in effigy if service would improve as a result."
Now this is not far from the literal truth for many Iraqi civilians, women and children that actually are incinerated almost daily in Iraq as the American Occupation grinds into its third year.
Then consider how this violence abroad that Americans experience, finds its way home, as it did tragically in Minnesota earlier today.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/03/21/minnesota050321.html
The headline reads:
"10 dead in U.S. school shooting"
The article goes on to report the following:
"RED LAKE, MINN. - At least 22 people have been killed or injured after a gunman went on a shooting spree in northern Minnesota.
At least eight were shot and killed at Red Lake High School on Monday afternoon. Two others, a man and a woman, were found dead inside a home in the community."
The article continues:
"Monday's incident is the worst school shooting in the United States since two teens went on a killing rampage at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, killing 12 students and a teacher and wounding 23 before killing themselves, on April 20, 1999."
It is profoundly sad that so many young people should have to die because the US Government is incapable of protecting its own citizens at home. None of these young people died at the hands of international terrorists. They died at the hands of the NRA gun lobbyists in Washington.
I wish to express my profound sadness and condolences to thinking Americans that have to keep viewing these tragedies without any hope of ever stopping this violence in American society.
I cannot erase from my mind Charleton Heston boasting about the rifle in his "cold dead hands" when I think of these dead youngsters who died almost before their lives began.
As John Kerry said of his friend who died in Vietnam, "What a goddamn waste".
Posted by: Joe Green at March 21, 2005 10:18 PM (5dXW9)
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"I wish to express my profound sadness and condolences..."
But, of course, this is bullshit, isn't it, Joe? If you were sincere, you would not have jumped at the opportunity to use the tragedy to advance your WeAreNotCowards! protests. By the way, Einstein, the guns he used were reported by the police to belong to his grandfather, a tribal police officer.
Of course, Canada has no murders or mass murders, right? Oops.
PS: I just knew that either you or BG would start a hatefest over this. It is just the perfect ingredient for a Canadian HateAmerica rant.
Thanks for sharing, Joe. I can always count on at least one Canadian to embarrass his country at this blog.
Posted by: mikem at March 21, 2005 11:21 PM (EzNXf)
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Joe:
How did you get from crappy TTC service to a high school (and family) massacre?
As for burning someone in effigy, isn't this the routine tactic for the looney left at their demonstrations?
Apparently you don't see the irony in criticizing the U.S. for being violent mere weeks after the RCMP suffered its biggest loss (four officers murdered)since its formation.
Posted by: John B at March 22, 2005 10:50 AM (ju7Wp)
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"UGGGGGGGHHHHHH-"
*SPLURT*
"OH GOD YOUR FACE, YOUR FACE"
Posted by: Blackglasses at March 22, 2005 11:22 AM (t+KkC)
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Argument #10,774 against the existence of comment boxes on the internet appears to be in progress. . . . .
Posted by: SparcVark at March 22, 2005 11:29 AM (X7hb0)
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Well obviously if Redwing Minnesota had it's own TTC this never would have happened.
Or maybe the student was upset about "Just some thoughts as I prepare to start my work week (which starts in a little over an hour.)"?
"I wouldn't have to shoot all these kids if only they didn't make people in Canada work so much!"
Posted by: Jay at March 22, 2005 12:42 PM (PuNh2)
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SparkVark, you rule!
Good work, Mike and Jay. There is a clear connection between Toronto bus service, Canadian working conditions, and the Minnesota shootings. I blame Karl Rove.
Exactly, John B. Glass houses indeed.
Joe, are one strange dude. I must post more often or you will be forced to twist posts to find an anti-American angle.
As for the TTC Commission, I really hope they have a lovely time in Rome because I was worried they recently raised my fares to improve service or meet contract demands by the drivers.
But you missed the true target: my gloating over the imminent demise of the snow banks, which I'm pleased to report are retreating steadily in the face of relentless spring weather.
Their days are numbered, yet not one word of protest from Joe or Blackglasses about American imperialism and the imposition of Western values on a reluctant Winter. Where are the human shields?
Maybe they're silent because the snow banks are under assault from a multilateral coalition of Northern Hemisphere nations, so the violence inflicted by shovels is alright because France doesn't object.
Alas, the coalition doesn't include Australia which has chosen to go it alone and will confront Winter without her Anglosphere allies or U.N. approval. Tsk tsk.
Posted by: Debbye at March 22, 2005 06:33 PM (Gf7j8)
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I THINK SO YES!!! NOT HAVING ANY IDEA WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING!!!!
DONGS????? EXHAUSTED REALLY QUITE TIRED HURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGG TIRED!
COCTEAU TWINS?
Posted by: Blackglasses at March 22, 2005 07:04 PM (t+KkC)
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Debbye wrote:
"But you missed the true target: my gloating over the imminent demise of the snow banks, which I'm pleased to report are retreating steadily in the face of relentless spring weather."
So sorry Yankee, you make terrible, terrible mistake!
We just let you think you were melting the snow banks, while we were actually planning a major counter-offensive. The largest this winter. The fresh snow has been falling all day throughout Canada as we move to reclaim the True North Strong and Free --- and ah White. Latest reports show that our tactics have succeeded beyond everyone's wildest imagination as Yankees are fleeing the fresh onslaught of the Canadian counter-offensive.
American multinationals are leaving in droves as flights from Pearson have been backlogged for days, while the Canadians press on with their attack.
One right wing newsblog interviewed the Canadian Chief of Staff and asked how did such a brilliant counter attack succeed so brilliantly. The General said that this was a rerun of the Battle of Stalingrad where the Germans showed up with light summer garb to face the Russian Winter that Khruschev and the Ukrainians were about to unleash upon them.
While Yankees were slip sliding away in Toronto's Pearson Airport, Canadian combat troops, fully armed with shovels and mittens and armed to the teeth with fully rated felt boots, pressed the attack. Over a foot of snow in just a couple of hours; it was impressive and warmed the heart.
The Yankees are falling back and hoping to regroup in Hawaii. The Canadian battle cry was "remember New Orleans!" as they bombed American positions with snowballs that size of grapefruits.
Meanwhile the Canadian airborne parachuted into Pearson Airport, fully armed and fully equipped with snowshoes. The commanding colonel told the press that "we are here to stay, and we want to make sure they leave and don't come back until they have developed a proper respect for the snow at the heart of Canada's sovereignty.
He then told the Yankees that the newsconference was over and they had to get their asses over to Terminal Two where hot meals were being served to all "detainees".
The colonel said he was tempted to leave them in the snow banks, but that he did not want countries like Israel accusing Canada of torture.
Posted by: Joe Green at March 22, 2005 08:53 PM (5dXW9)
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So Rubert, aka "Joe Green", exactly how many pseudonyms do you write under anyway? BTW, it is time consult your physician to increase/decrease the dose. Whatever you are taking now does not appear to be working.
Posted by: Flea at March 23, 2005 12:10 AM (HiNQV)
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Fleabag wrote:
"So Rubert, aka "Joe Green", exactly how many pseudonyms do you write under anyway?"
Answer = none.
Joe Green is my real name.
Can you say as much?
Thought so.
Coward.
Posted by: Joe Green at March 23, 2005 12:26 AM (5dXW9)
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Mikey said:
""I wish to express my profound sadness and condolences...""
"But, of course, this is bullshit, isn't it, Joe?"
No, I meant what I wrote. If you have been reading what I write, you will know that I have condemned all killings. In your schools, in Iraqi schools, in Washington suburbs, in Baghdad suburbs. Its a great pity that you are so cynically wrapped up as Churchill would have observed; "a riddle wrapped up in an enigma". Churchill was referring to the Soviet Union, but it applies equally to the new Fascists in Amerika.
Now, let me walk you through this Mikey, so open your eyes, and listen up. This is a political blog where people surf in from all over the world to post their opinions about political issues that Debbye in her wisdom leads off with.
Posted by: Joe Green at March 23, 2005 12:34 AM (5dXW9)
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"...you will know that I have condemned all killings."
Oh, really now? I just now posted a response to your passionate demand that Terri Schiavo be killed to save American democracy. Bad timing for your bullshit, Joe.
The fact that you don't even understand the inappropriateness of your using the recent tragedy to advance your HateAmerica views is no surprise. Way over the average 'civilized' Canadians head.
"Amerika"... How cute, Joe. I can't tell you how many times I have smirked at seeing "Canaduh" used, but I personally do not use it, not wanting to be associated with such childishness. I see you view yourself differently.
Posted by: mikem at March 23, 2005 12:50 AM (EzNXf)
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Mikey wrote:
""...you will know that I have condemned all killings.""
"Oh, really now? I just now posted a response to your passionate demand that Terri Schiavo be killed to save American democracy. Bad timing for your bullshit, Joe."
You obviously do not have much reading comprehension. If you did, you would know that I have condemned this entire circus created by Republicans that have made the US Congressional system the laughing stock of the democratic free world.
And you would also know that I do not support ending Terri's "life" through dehydration and starvation in this manner. My view, is that Jeb Bush failed to provide moral and political leadership in this issue by simply arranging matters so that the State would ensure that "brain dead" individuals like Terri would be cared for until they die of other natural causes, under the care of doctors who adhere to the hypocratic oath. I do not support Euthanasia either, and I do not support any idea of "getting it over with" as long as doctors can be sure that she feels no pain or suffering. If doctors are not sure they should try to do the best they can to control pain and suffering, and we need to leave difficult medical matters to them in deciding questions of medication, pain control and natural dying processes. In my view, its vital that doctors not be ever put in the position of "ending life", but rather they should keep trying their best to save Terri's life and heal her if they can. Its just that for Terri, the odds are very long indeed. Now Jeb Bush did not do that because like his brother he prefers a circus to a sound and ethical policy.
Furthermore I do not agree with pseudo Christian heretics like Jerry Falwell who make up all kinds of stories about how Terri is "smiling" or doing any of the things that would contradict the hard medical evidence in this case.
Why is it so hard for Falwell and other American fundamentalist Republicans to preach on Sunday that those who "sin" are "dead" and then not accept that Terri is also "dead"? I say the reason is that they are the same type of hypocrites that Jesus drove from the Temple.
I also think that the Republicans have done a terrible amount of harm to Terri's family and to her husband. They have done things in a way that does not end their emotional suffering and grief.
That, even the UN would recognize as a form of "torture".
Had Jeb Bush done his job, the millions that have been pissed away on legal processes would have been avoided, and the tens of millions more wasted by the Congress would have all been avoided.
There could have at least been some peace for Terri's parents and siblings, and her husband would have been able to get on with his life because Euthanasia is not, and should not be lawfully available to them, and ending his wife's "life" through asphixiation, dehydration or starvation would not be on the table as it now is.
The lawyers and the politicians have removed an ethical outcome, which was to care for Terri until she died of natural causes, NOT for Terri's sake, but for our own as a civilization.
I expect that is too hard a concept for you to grasp Mikey, but that was my actual position. Governor Bush should have simply brought forth a process that avoided this issues, paid the bill for Terri's care, and then defended his position that in these circumstances it was less costly then supporting the circus that has now been winding through the US Courts for the past seven years. But he lacked compassion and he lacked common sense.
I guess, being American, you do not study ethics to the same extent as other people in other countries.
Posted by: Joe Green at March 23, 2005 01:57 PM (5dXW9)
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Joe, sometimes I just plain feel sorry for you. This is one of those times. You obviously gave a great deal of thought to how to extricate yourself from the taint of your previous comment on Schiavo in which you quite clearly condemn the efforts to save her life. Today you think it is an outrage that she is being starved to death (good for you!), but try to find a way to lay it all on a Bush head (any Bush will do?) by condemning Jeb Bush for not 'interfering' earlier, which is precisely what you blast the other Bush and Congress for doing.
You are so clearly trying to find a way to condemn Republicans regardless of the outcome, regardless of what they would do, that you could easily be convicted of using her struggle to live as political fodder just as you did with the massacre.
You say America is a laughing stock because Congress gave voice to its concerns, but you condemn Jeb Bush for not 'creating a process to avoid' all this. What the hell are you talking about? Did you chuckle at your 'cleverness' in coming up with this? Any chance that, in your eyes, the "process" would be any less of a "laughing stock", that democracy and the system would be any less circumvented than you are already condemning America for? Just how and where should Jeb Bush have taken the issue away from the courts and met your approval, given your melodramatic predictions of the end of democracy for what George Bush and Congress have done so far?
I carefully read your post, more than once since it did not have a logical thread to it. Your intent seems to be to condemn whatever a Republican does, or did not do earlier, to save this woman's life, while at the same time stating that her life should be spared. WTF?
And please, I'm 51 and have had decades of listening to people condemn the people who are actually doing something and then demanding that 'a process be created' that will solve the problem without hurting anyone's feelings. But they never actually have a solution, just a mysterious miraculous process that only the enlightened can see (and need not share). That this should be the centerpiece of your attack on Republicans just adds to my sadness over a piece you obviously put a lot of work into.
For ethics, I'll say this, I don't think Schiavo should be killed on the word of a greedy ex-husband. And I don't care who saves her or how, short of violence. Your ethics revolve around Republicans being the ones who are trying to save her and how they are trying to do it. I'll live with my ethics. You should work yours down from politics to basic justice.
Posted by: mikem at March 23, 2005 03:25 PM (EzNXf)
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mikem wrote:
"You say America is a laughing stock because Congress gave voice to its concerns, but you condemn Jeb Bush for not 'creating a process to avoid' all this. What the hell are you talking about?"
There actually was nothing for Jeb Bush to "create". All the tools exist already where the Government of Florida already has the power and authority to effectively take over the role of guardianship over Terri and it has had that authority for at least fifteen years. There was nothing required of Mr. Bush, except to discharge his responsibilities as governor. In fact one reporter pointedly asked Mr. Bush how come it took fifteen years for the government of Florida to act. Bush answered that they has just now assembled all the information. I say that Jeb is a liar like his brother.
Don't ask for whom the bell tolls, for it tolls for thee.
You are essentially for all your 51 years, basically a moral cripple. I say that not because of your support for the Republicans, but for your evasions as a "neocon". You make excuses when you should have clear and unambiguous answers.
You not only persist in misrepresenting what others have said (as was the case above) but you continue to evade the morale core of this issue with Terri's "life". Furthermore, you just cannot get past your principle mode of thinking, which is to find someone to blame, such as the husband in this case. Has it never occurred to you that he must be facing an almost impossible and endless emotional pain, to do what was right for his wife, to come to terms with her loss, to face the lies and libels and slanders thrown against him, and to somehow find a way forward, to somehow find a way past the bitterness that Terri's situation has visited upon the entire family?
There are Conservatives in the US I expect who actually are compassionate, but the "neocons" that have created this circus are not among them. They simply latched onto Terri's tragedy for political gain, and now it appears that might backfire with the public as well as the courts.
And if that happens, and if Jeb Bush fails to do what he should have done fifteen years ago, or five years ago, then indeed America will be a laughing stock, that the Bush Family will have delivered the black eye that your country would rightly deserve.
Finally, go back and read everything I have written and then try to tell me what was there that I had to extracate myself from. Let me suggest to you that the correct answer is "nothing".
I was right about this matter from the beginning, because I took a position that the Vatican agrees with, and which the Democrats partially agree with and which decent Republicans would agree with. The only bunch that strongly disagree with me are Joe McCarthy's Republican "neocons" like you.
Why am I not surprised?
Posted by: Joe Green at March 23, 2005 05:42 PM (5dXW9)
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"There actually was nothing for Jeb Bush to "create". All the tools exist already where the Government of Florida already has the power and authority to effectively take over the role of guardianship over Terri and it has had that authority for at least fifteen years."
You are blowing smoke and hoping no one calls you on it. Just what are the "tools" (the mysterious tools now replaces the "bring forth a process") that you say Bush should have used 15 years ago? You expended a lot of energy explaining how immoral various Republicans are for not implementing these miraculous tools and processes. How about you expend a few lines and describe what you are proposing so we can determine if it is possible? I suspect you have not because you are blowing smoke. Prove me wrong.
Are you proposing that the government intervene immediately and early and take over all brain damage cases from the affected families? So far, that is what you seem to be hinting at but certainly you can't expect that to be a solution to the problem, or do you? Inform us.
You are talking like John Kerry. Criticize everyone who are trying to do something and then offer some nebulous miracle solution that you cannot reveal.
What Solomonic opportunity did the Republicans pass up 15 years ago that would have solved this problem?
Posted by: mikem at March 23, 2005 08:33 PM (EzNXf)
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According the the Governor, during a press conference, that was attended by other officials of the State of Florida, there exists a committee or a commission for the protection of vulnerable adults in the State of Florida. That commission always had jurisdiction to act in cases like Terri's.
Terri case is not very complicated. The husband's evidence is that Terri would not have wanted to live as a vegetable. Terri's parents want to keep her alive under any circumstances and are prepared to do it if granted the "right" to do so.
Clearly the husband and the parents are "conflicted". The State should have intervened in court, and stated their position that NEITHER husband nor parents should have legal guardianship, but it should have passed to a state official. That official should have simply issued instructions that would have provided for Terri's care until she died of natural causes. Withholding food, water and other essentials of life in Canada is a CRIMINAL OFFENCE. It should also be so in the US for very similar reasons in common law.
Terri would have eventually died of some cause over which the doctors had no control. Its absolutely essential that doctors not be asked to assist anyone in a "merciful killing". That is because Euthanasia itself is wrong.
Let me put it this way. Humane killing of pets, dogs, cats, and other animals is required of us as civilized persons. But we are not to engage in the humane killing of our own species. That is for nature, not doctors to decide, as long as doctors are able to control the pain and suffering.
In practice, the doctors may require very large doses of painkillers to control the pain, but that is not the same thing as mercy killing.
As for Jeb Bush, he as governor had all the tools he needed to have provided Terri with the care she needed, and to have provided a humane and also a legal answer to this family. And he could have accomplished it at a fraction of the cost required to run the circus of lawyers, experts, judges and courts that this court has seen, to say nothing of the public costs of legislatures, congress and the senate and of course President Bush's midnight helicopter flights to sign the bill into law.
The tens of millions of dollars wasted on this case would have paid for the care of a dozen cases like Terri's in Florida. It would have given the public a better feeling, it would have been much better for Terri's family and even for her husband who would have been freed of the responsibilities of being Terri's legal guardian.
But then, these "neocons" would not have been able to turn this into a "pro-life" circus for political gain.
Indeed, one reporter did ask Jeb Bush why he waited fifteen years to act? Bush answered that all the information he required did not come together until the last few days.
I say he's a liar like his brother in the White House.
Just have a look at the interviews with the Bush Bros. on CNN, it paints a pretty clear and graphic picture of an inept and incompetent pair of politicians.
Posted by: Joe Green at March 23, 2005 09:04 PM (5dXW9)
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That is it? That the state of Florida should have demanded that a judge grant it guardianship of Terri Schiavo because the family members were in conflict? Would you want the state (and state taxpayers) to decide whether you live or die? How would a judge justify taking custody away from family and handing it over to the state without a finding of abuse, neglect or abandonment? We don't allow the state to do such things. You have raised a solution that is not possible in America and I can see why you were reluctant to reveal your 'obvious' solution. It is also decidedly NOT a tool or process available to Jeb Bush, now or then. I guess he could have asked. He could also ask for 'the right of kings' to decide all manner of citizen issues that are complicated.
“Terri case is not very complicated. The husband's evidence is that Terri would not have wanted to live as a vegetable. Terri's parents want to keep her alive under any circumstances and are prepared to do it if granted the "right" to do so.”
This is not true. It is very complicated. You saying it is not does not change that. Terri's husband made no mention of Terri expressing a 'living will' desire to him in court. His testimony in fact was quite the opposite. That Terri needed a large award to provide for a lifetime of medical care. It is only after the lawsuit was won and the money guaranteed that saint michael suddenly decided that she would have wanted to die after all. Isn't that suspicious to you? It stinks to high heavens. And only one judge has decided on facts, the first judge. All other rulings have been jurisdictional and technical.
You also falsely state that her parents “want to keep her alive under any circumstances”. They want her to have rehabilitative therapy that saint michael has forbidden. They don't trust saint michael's suddenly awakened memories that she expressed, to him alone, a desire to die under these circumstances. They have stated that if Terri had expressed such a desire, they would honor it. But she didn't.
You were right to try to hide the 'obvious' solution that Jeb Bush should have put into use. It doesn't exist, at least not in this or most cases. No judge is going to hand over custody of a family member to the state unless there is evidence of abuse, neglect etc. Your unnamed “solution” was just a pathetic attempt to get political mileage out of a tragedy and blame Republicans somehow, somewhere no matter how this turned out.
Posted by: mikem at March 23, 2005 11:05 PM (EzNXf)
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Mikey wrote:
"That is it? That the state of Florida should have demanded that a judge grant it guardianship of Terri Schiavo because the family members were in conflict?"
Had Terri's case surfaced in ANY Canadian jurisdiction in Queen's Bench, where family members were conflicted like this, the judge would have had the option to exercise his unfettered discretion and appoint the "public guardian" for Terri. All he would have required was evidence that the parents and the husband could not agree on what was best for Terri.
In Alberta for example, the legal processes are almost "automatic" but the end result is very different and that is because the "neocons" do not believe in anything like "pro-life" positions. Had they gained control over Terri in Alberta, she would have been dead in a could of weeks.
The problem in Alberta is not with the Courts, or the law, the actual problem exists with an evil and corrupt "neocon" government.
But that is a different issue.
Posted by: Joe Green at March 24, 2005 03:47 PM (5dXW9)
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Mikey wrote:
"You have raised a solution that is not possible in America and I can see why you were reluctant to reveal your 'obvious' solution. It is also decidedly NOT a tool or process available to Jeb Bush, now or then. I guess he could have asked."
So finally, you are conceding my point that Terri is actually a victim of the American Constitution and that most unfortunate and illegal rebellion in 1776.
The solution I put forward flows straight out of the common law that WAS available to Americans before their nutty notions of "checks and balances".
Just look at what has been created in Terri's case. No one it seems, can keep her alive or has the authority to do something as simple as feeding a helpless and innocent woman. When it comes to obtaining stays of execution for criminals, there is no shortage of procedures and lawyers. But for Terri, it would seem that the entire country has gone mad, from the lawyers, to the Courts, to the Florida Legislature and its inmates, to the Federal Congress, the Senate and the President. None of them have the power it would appear under your misbegotten Constitution to feed a helpless woman and give her water.
Jesus when he was dying on the Cross, cried out "I thirst". And they gave him vinegar. Genuine Christians, (not the pseudo American ones) believe that Jesus died for our sins. Clearly Terri is also going to die because of the sins of her fellow citizens in Florida and the US.
Posted by: Joe Green at March 24, 2005 03:57 PM (5dXW9)
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Hey joe:
You know that song "Screaming at a Wall" by Minor Threat? You're acting it out when you try to talk to mikem.
Seriously. No matter how valid and intelligent your points are, he'll just start calling everyone anti-semites and go on about "CANADA CANADA CANADA CANADIANS" in the hopes of derailing the conversation praying that you don't notice how dumb he really and truly is.
PS MIKEM: How's the jizzy face going, piss bucket?
My dick rubbing offer still stands!
Posted by: Blackglasses at March 24, 2005 04:42 PM (t+KkC)
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So finally we corner Joe Green to identify the 'process and tools' that Jeb Bush ignored, for which Joe lambasted the entire Republican leadership for not employing and it turns out to be CANADIAN, not American. What a waste of time it was to actually assign some credibility to your 'facts' for the last few days. Your dishonesty (or stupidity, I guess you might have just mixed up countries) is pitiful.
Your Canadian process has a decidedly Canadian flavor to it. If we are to believe Joe again, Canadians have decided to allow the state to make decisions of life and death for their loved ones. We can see the philosophy behind this in their foreign policy and even their day to day affairs. Better to look away from a loved one's troubles and pain. Make the state responsible for those pain in the ass, "What would my mother want us to do for her?" questions. Just turn away, turn it over (to the state) and walk away. Decidedly Canadian. Let someone else take responsibility. Let someone else do the painful emotional work. Better we just don't get involved in it. That way no one will be mad at us. Utterly Canadian way of looking at the world and now shamefully, at family responsibilities.
"...Terri is actually a victim of the American Constitution and that most unfortunate and illegal rebellion in 1776."
Proud of this one, Joe? Did you think that such shameful pomposity and cruelty was going to make me angry and give your fellow Canadians a temporary respite from their chronic inferiority complex? It doesn't. It makes me proud to be American and not YOU.
"their nutty notions of "checks and balances"
Those nutty Americans and their stupid checks and balances on government. Only an idiot American would not see the value of unbridled power. (1938 Germans would have agreed wholeheartedly with you, Joe. Way to take lessons from the losers.)
Your entire post is self lampooning.
Posted by: mikem at March 24, 2005 08:28 PM (EzNXf)
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CANADA CANADA CANADA CANADIANS
TOTAL LINES: 14
TOTAL CANADA COUNT: 7
MIKEM HAS CANADA ON THE BRAIN!!!!!
Perhaps he secretly desires Canada! (The same way anti-gay activists want hott hott men)
SO, YOU'RE A CLOSET CANADIAN, EH MIKEM?
Come on out!!
OUT OF THE CLOSETS, INTO THE STREETS!!!
PS: I have now taken your post and changed the nationality. It's funnier. HERE:
So finally we corner Joe Green to identify the 'process and tools' that Jeb Bush ignored, for which Joe lambasted the entire Republican leadership for not employing and it turns out to be AMERICAN SAMOAN, not American. What a waste of time it was to actually assign some credibility to your 'facts' for the last few days. Your dishonesty (or stupidity, I guess you might have just mixed up countries) is pitiful.
Your SAMOAN process has a decidedly SAMOAN flavor to it. If we are to believe Joe again, SAMOANS have decided to allow the state to make decisions of life and death for their loved ones. We can see the philosophy behind this in their foreign policy and even their day to day affairs. Better to look away from a loved one's troubles and pain. Make the state responsible for those pain in the ass, "What would my mother want us to do for her?" questions. Just turn away, turn it over (to the state) and walk away. Decidedly SAMOAN. Let someone else take responsibility. Let someone else do the painful emotional work. Better we just don't get involved in it. That way no one will be mad at us. Utterly SAMOAN way of looking at the world and now shamefully, at family responsibilities.
"...Terri is actually a victim of the American Constitution and that most unfortunate and illegal rebellion in 1776."
Proud of this one, Joe? Did you think that such shameful pomposity and cruelty was going to make me angry and give your fellow SAMOANS a temporary respite from their chronic inferiority complex? It doesn't. It makes me proud to be American and not YOU.
PPS: Mikem's writing style is absolutely terrible. He obviously cuts and pastes in MS Word before hand, but it can't hide the fact that at best he's a hack with an introductory level writers craft course behind(Final grade: D-. TOO PURPLE!).
Posted by: Blackglasses at March 25, 2005 03:20 PM (t+KkC)
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I have read this latest angry rant from Mikey, and I think what he wishes to actually express is a kind green jealousy of a peaceful neighbouring country that is a much better place to live than what he and his fellow Americans have been able to achieve with unbridled greed, corruption and automatic weapons that killed and injured another 22 students, teachers, family members and others in the "American family" this week.
He also says that I do not "understand" how powerless the Bush Clan really is to save Terri's life. Because I somehow am applying "Canadian Values" to an "American Problem". Well, let me simply suggest that the Bush Clan are hypocrites without the slightest interest in Terri or her family; this is about pandering to the lowest common denominator in the American electorate. The Bush Clan want to be telling the heretics in the American psuedo Christian Churches that Republicans care about the "right to life" issues, while American Republican Judges kill Terri with their negligence and what Ayn Rand would admire as their "cold reason".
The cold however is the cold of a Komodo Dragon, its fangs dripping with venom, not that of any sound and reasoned human thought.
Posted by: Joe Green at March 25, 2005 06:13 PM (5dXW9)
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Mikey wrote:
""their nutty notions of "checks and balances""
"Those nutty Americans and their stupid checks and balances on government. Only an idiot American would not see the value of unbridled power."
I never advocated "unbridled power" in any single person's hands.
The Canadian Prime Minister for example, lives minute by minute "at the pleasure" of his caucus, which can end his job without any delay or process to speak of.
The Americans are the ones that have invested their President with unchecked power, with nuclear weapons, and with the ability to wage war on other countries, with or without proper authority of the people and by the people, as the Constitution calls for, but which no one actually follows in Washington, except perhaps for elderly Senator Byrd.
Consider the nature of the circus that the Bush Brothers brought to the American people this week. The Congress passed a law (not a resolution, but a "law") that was to provide for the continued care for a vulnerable adult in Florida. The Senate passed a law. The President signed a law. The Florida Governor always had the authority to take Terri into protective custody, but declined to use it. All these Republicans are claiming to be on the side of the "right to life", while Republican Judges all refuse to recognize the clear and very specific legislation passed by Congress, the Senate and approved by the President. The Republicans on the Supreme Court demonstrated their "legal courage", by refusing to actually consider these "new facts" in the case, since the "voice of the people" does not matter very much in the US. It kind of reminds me how their conduct reflected Saddam hiding in his spider hole.
At least this part of the story is clear, however; Republicans never did give a shit about the "voice of the people".
Then they are all going to wring their hands and tell the world how there was nothing more that could be done.
Jesus would have condemned them all as hypocrites.
As do I. As do I.
What a pity that Martha Stewart and poor Terri were not Canadians because these vile injustices would have never befallen them in Canada. A flawed constitution written by wild eyed revolutionaries, radicals, cut-throats, and other social degenerates in the seventeenth century is what lay behind the injustices visited upon both these women.
Posted by: Joe Green at March 25, 2005 06:34 PM (5dXW9)
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Congress voted and authorized both wars...oops, Joe Green caught bullshiting again.
There is no process for the government to take custody away from any family, without a finding of neglect, abuse or abandonment. Remember yesterday when you had to cite Canadian law in answer to my question?... oops Joe Green caught bullshitting again.
Your favored Senator Robert Byrd, Einstein, is a retired Klu Klux Klansman, for real. Don't you feel like an idiot after having used the juvenile "Amerika" spelling, now that you have shown your approval of the real thing? No, of course not. It would take self awareness.
Your sarcastic references to religion and finally, the utter hatred shown by your repeatedly trying to make comedy out of this tragedy with ridiculous references to centuries old events, all this does is just shame your fellow Canadians.
Whatever chuckles you get out of this hateful comedy of yours, I hope at some point you become aware of what you are doing and reexamine what kind of man you wish to be.
Posted by: mikem at March 25, 2005 09:28 PM (EzNXf)
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The facts are that the US Congress NEVER was presented with and never endorsed or voted upon a solumn declaration of war against Iraq, as it did against Japan in 1941. That is a fact!
No matter how Mikey twists in the wind, no matter how he evades, the facts are that the American Congress FAILED in this most basic of its duties.
What in fact took place was a shameful abdication of responsibility and power and an almost insane deference to Emperor George Bush II. Senators, Congressmen, and lobbists were falling over themselves to come to support Mr. Bush and the Houston Oil Lobby.
Which is why today, America finds itself stuck in a Vietnamese Quagmire in Iraq. To date, over 1,500 dead, over 37,500 serious injuries, and well over $280 BILLION DOLLARS in the hole, passing the half way mark in the Vietnam era budget for war.
Finally Mikey confuses "hatred" for "contempt".
What other word fits a situation in a country where the "will of the people" has been so totally defied, where resolutions by Congress, the Senate and acceptance by the President, STILL DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER AND AUTHORITY to simply attach a feeding tube for a vulnerable and dependent adult in Florida. You want the world to RESPECT this kind of political behavior and leadership????
Just have a close and careful look at the example being set by the American Government to a sceptical audience around the globe. Who in his right mind wants this American style of government impotence???
The time has come to lay the responsibility where it properly belongs, on the heads of Republican judges that pretend to be Christians. Mikey comes here like a braying ass and attempts to deny the obvious. But you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.
Is it not a sad commentary on Amerika, that the only person left in its government willing to defend its Constitution, is a former member of the Klu Klux Klan in the person of Senator Byrd.
Posted by: Joe Green at March 26, 2005 02:49 PM (5dXW9)
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You've gone the way of Blackglasses, Joe. Statements without regard to truth or reality, comments that support one side then the other, both melodramatic and hyperbolic, the sum of which is zero. You sound like you are either in the process of losing it or you have stopped making an effort to sound sane.
All in all, you sound like a man with a great deal of hate to live with.
Posted by: mikem at March 26, 2005 06:31 PM (EzNXf)
30
HOLY CRAP!!!
mikem=Matt Moulton?
Is that you OMH?
Posted by: Hohoho at March 26, 2005 06:51 PM (0xnjB)
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March 16, 2005
Anti-Semitism in Toronto
Mar. 16 - A report issued by B'nai Brith says that out of 857 anti-Semitic incidents reported in Canada, 405 happened here (
Problem worst in GTA with more
here.)
I wish I could say I was surprised, but I'm not. Tolerance is easy to talk about but harder to feel and impossible to enforce. I constantly overhear anti-Jewish comments which go by unchallenged but, were they directed against African- or West Asian-Canadians, would be immediately denounced by everyone in the room.
Something else that would be interesting to track would be expressions of hate toward Chinese- and East Asian-Canadians.
The Toronto police will release a report next month on acts which legally constitute "hate crimes."
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1
Ha! My witty and inciteful comment is lost to the ages because I made reference to the International Sozialists.
Posted by: Flea at March 16, 2005 07:18 PM (y0z8l)
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Ah Flea, you have my total sympathy. I've learned (and re-learned and re-learned) the hard way to highlight and copy my posts and comments due to time-out issues, spam attacks which close the sites and comments, and might certain dreaded words which form a part of words like sozialists.
Nice work-around, by the way. One wit advised we just say "godless commies" like everyone else.
Posted by: Debbye at March 16, 2005 08:00 PM (9mIx9)
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February 04, 2005
Events catch up to pretensions
Feb. 4 - This is downright disheartening. Paul covers the story of some very sharp criticisms leveled by John Watson, head of CARE Canada, on Canada's Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) which languished in Canada for 10 days after the tsunamai hit Asian coasts until they finally arranged to rent a Russian transport for travel to Sri Lanka in
I rest my case... and the criticisms cast doubt on even the value of the team's work
after it arrived.
Truth is, I find it very awkward to post about Canada these days. There's a code of honour that dictates you don't kick somebody when they're down (don't remind me that some Canadians don't follow that code - I well know that!) and despite the smugness displayed by much of the media, a lot of people in Toronto and Canada are down. Just here in Toronto, today's paper tells about problems in the education system (even at the elementary level,) the transit systems and despite millions of dollars spent to fight homelessness people are still sleeping in parks and on the streets even though it's mid-winter. Nationally, the sorry tale of Canada's sub purchase reveals yet another stupid decision and the Adscam inquiry is still bogged down in conflicting testimony while questions remain unanswerable due to bookeeping that rivals that of the U.N. for careful incompetency.
The failure of the electorate to administer a sharp rebuke to the Liberal Party for corruption and mendacity is depressing. Some back home say the American press was too voracious in pursuing the Watergate story and the leads arising from the hearings, but up here I'm seeing the other side of the picture: too many in the media seem almost disinterested in learning the truth and complacently let the government investigate its own wrongdoing with the occasional plaintive bleat that the commission has uncovered little of substance.
Two main legs of Canadian identity are health care and hockey, and both are way past life-support systems.
I can't count how many times Canadians used to conclude a (usually friendly) comment about the USA with a grinning "but don't get sick there!" I never took offense (Americans are much more polite and forbearing than we're given credit for) but consider how many people died of SARS in the US and how many died here in the city of Toronto. Might it have something to do with the fact that medical personnel down there wore the proper face masks whereas they were deemed to be too uncomfortable up here? Or maybe the quaint notion of "quarantine" actually meant something in the US even when it inconvenienced people. What happened to the meme if it saves only one life, hmm? They only trot that out when it comes to coke, Twinkies and McDonald's but keep it tucked away when people are actually dying.
Today the despised American-style health system is the only resort for Canadians suffering and even dying on the waiting lists the treasured health care system offers in place of actual medical care, and some treatments are even being offered to Canadians at a discount by some enterprising American doctors.
As for hockey, Attention NHL owners, players, and assorted others: it's February, you morons, and yet you're pretending there might yet be a chance for a hockey season? This season is dead, defunct. It has passed on. Canada survived without NHL hockey and the CBC showed some pretty decent double-billed movies on Saturday nights. End of story.
So what's left when health care and hockey are out for the count? The U.N., peacekeeping forces, and moral superiority.
Exposure of the debasement of the U.N. Oil-for-Food Program remains sparse and although a story today speculates about possible Canadian connections to Hussein's oil, the conflict of interest of former PM Chretien due to his familial ties to Power Corp. and thus TotalFinaElf remains an unpublicized and unexplored factor in Canada's membership in the the Axis of Weasels.
Remember when the argument would be made that Canadians had consciously reduced their military in order to nationalize a world-class health system?
Then he who was then Finance Minister and is now the Prime Minister, Paul Martin, decided to reduce the national debt by withholding money from the provinces which should have gone into the health care system. Now there's neither accessible health care nor military strength up here, but cruel history provided events in Liberia, Haiti (including the devastation of last summer's hurricanes) Sudan and a tsunamai to accentuate the harsh reality that Canada can no longer respond to international crises nor provide peacekeeping to protect innocent people from genocide. crimes against humanity.
The only leg standing (as it were) is moral superiority. Above all, Canadians are compassionate. If you don't believe me, just ask them. They will expound at length as to how much more compassionate and caring and enlightened they are than Americans. (They've even got some Americans believing it.) Why, they're close to achieving a plane of compassionate existence that's almost European! Unfortunately, they spend so much time and money proclaiming it that they never get around to actually doing much that is compassionate, caring or enlightened but a cynicism has set in that allows that it's the appearance that matters, not the deeds.
Coming back full circle, as was pointed out in the opening link, if Canada's rapid response to disaster is delayed 10 days while waiting for a foreign power to transport that team, what will happen in the event of a disaster within Canada? How will aid reach Canadians in their own country?
You know the answer to that. You know you do. Despite the recent urging of outgoing U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci, don't count on Canada spending the necessary money to enable herself to become self-sufficient in the areas of self-defense at home or doing her fair part abroad.
But beware: if the day should come that they need our help, they'll hate us for it not because of what it says about us but because of what it says about them. Gratitude barely disguises resentment.
I do understand in part what lies under the surface in Canada. Canada's moral pose adopted a strikingly higher plane when the US was bitterly divided over Vietnam and demoralized over the Watergate hearings. After all, Canada was just coming out of the FLQ Crisis and needed a boost. The country was in danger of losing federal coherency so everyone rallied around a "we're better than the US" plank. And it worked.
In fact it worked so well, they were reluctant to tone it down. The media and politicos have trumpeted Canada's superiority over their American neighbours increasingly louder since the mid-70's, but as so often happens, reality is slowing catching up and there is growing recognition that Canada has become too complacent and the legs of Canadian identity and culture have become eroded.
But that's not a crime, it's just life. No nation can live up completely to its ideals, but one of life's challenges is to square our shoulders and try again. The important part is to adhere to the truths of those ideals, nourish them, and keep trying.
The deaths of U.S. soldiers and personnel as well as Iraqis unfortunate enough to be near IEDs when they went off provided a kind of comfort zone for those Canadians who have had some niggling feelings that just maybe Canada should have been on board for Operation Iraqi Freedom if only to offer moral support.
But now something has changed, or rather, everything has changed. There were real elections in Iraq in which the people of Iraq defied both the terrorists and the expectations of those with compassionate, caring, and enlightened views and, in so doing, also defied France, Russia, Belguim and Canada.
And we know that the price our sons and daughters are paying can be laid on account against the weasels because we kept our troops in the desert for several months while they pretended to debate in good faith on the U.N.S.C. all the while buying time for Saddam to set up his underground thugs.
Although far too few, however, there are indeed Canadians who have been awe-inspiring rock-freaking-solid in supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom from the onset, and they have earned the right to feel proud of the remarkable events of Sunday because they were part of it. (If you don't know who they are, look at the blogroll and I admit that it's incomplete.) Their numbers include media such as the Toronto Sun and Western Standard. (It hasn't been uncritical support, of course, but that's what friends are for.)
As for some others up here ... If they're examining their souls and wondering how they could have so misjudged the situation in Iraq then I'd advise them not to waste too much time on guilt or shame but pledge only to open their minds to the possibilility that if a stopped clock can be right twice a day, then Americans too might occasionally be right.
Those, however, who are rapidly devising a posture that denies that the success of the elections in Iraq might require a re-evaluation of their world view may as well carry on as though nothing has changed. They no longer matter.
As I wrote earlier, gratitude equals resentment, and therein lies an additional reason as to why the elections in Iraq were so important. The Iraqis need no longer feel lessened by Operation Iraqi Freedom because when it came time for them to take a stand, they alone made the decisions and took the steps toward freedom, braving the threats of those who had proven their willingness to murder them and, in that defiance, asserting the dignity of the Iraqi people beyond all measure and for all time.
One result of that renewed confidence was indicated when the citizens of the Iraqi village of al-Mudhariya fought off an insurgent attack, killing 5 and wounding 8, and then burnt the insurgents' car! (link via Best of the Web Today)
It's become much more simple now. The mission in Iraq is far from over but we have a new member in the Coalition of the Willing: the Iraqis, and this coalition has something the Axis of Weasels could never have - a mandate from the Iraqi people.
The counter-offensive began yesterday, and there are once again families in the US and Iraq who are bereaved. Press advisories come into my inbox advising me of the names and heartbreakingly young ages of the Americans who have lost their lives. It's not fair. It's wrong. It hurts. But we won't be deterred.
You see, we Americans share a national dream that has returned to the fore with renewed vigor and energy. I look forward to that day when all the peoples of the world can join hands and bear witness to the stirring power of Dr. King's words as he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and echo his words saying, "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, [insert deity or deities] we are free at last!"
Correction: Feb. 7 - Dr. King's speech was delivered in the steps of the Lincoln Memorial not the Washington Monument as I initially wrote.
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1
Hey, you're finally back! This is excellent.
Thanks for the link too, by the way.
Posted by: Paul Jané at February 04, 2005 04:00 PM (FOtPl)
2
Glad you're back too!
And are you swift. I'm only now proof-reading the thing.
Posted by: Debbye at February 04, 2005 04:19 PM (o2Lzi)
3
It's unclear whether you're asserting that the American system is better. Is that the case, or just that our perceptions have changed?
I ask because, as I'm sure you're aware, the US system works well for wealthy folks, but very poorly for the low-income folks. For example, 43.6 million Americans (in 2002, up from 39.8 in 2000) do not have any health insurance, and a further 24.5 million have only basic coverage from state-sponsored Medicaid.
I'd also be curious to see some statistics on Canada's declining healthcare system. Your SARS example is negligible, as it depends upon a very small data set (all of 38 people died in Canada--almost all of them over 50) and offers a comparison of a tiny aspect of the healthcare systems (disease control).
Canada's healthcare system isn't what it was, say, 25 years ago (what first world nation's is?), but it continues to rank amongst the top 20 in the world, and generally higher than the US.
Posted by: Darren at February 04, 2005 06:21 PM (9aklK)
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I was curious about the foreign aid point as well, and found these stats:
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/eco_eco_aid_don_cap
Unfortuntately, there are only 24 countries listed, so it's incomplete. Canada ranks somewhere in the middle of the developed world, better than the US but much worse than the average European nation.
Here's another data set, not great, but it seems to cast Canada as relatively generous:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_response_to_the_2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake
On an anecdotal basis, I'd point you to "Hotel Rwanda" and "Shake Hands with the Devil", two films that discuss Canada's mission in Rwanda. They certainly impressed me.
Lastly, I found this article on the DART in the
Toronto Star. While it's heavily weighted toward disparaging Canada's relief efforts, it does feature this quote at the end:
"Canada has pledged $425 million in relief and reconstruction assistance, the seventh-largest pledge of any government."
Posted by: Darren at February 04, 2005 06:35 PM (9aklK)
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Whew! Debbye is back in full force. Well done. Darren seems not to get around much or he might be aware that the figures for foreign aid, which seem to put Canada ahead of the U.S., do not take into account such contributions as aircraft carriers that bring medicine, fresh water and other aid to tsunami victims, or billions upon billions spent to liberate Iraq, and I could go on. Debbye, your point about the U.S. providing aid in the case of, oh, I don't know, a tsunami in Newf or a major earthquake in Van, is well taken. I swear upon my copy of Treason, when the U.S. sends helicopters and heavy transport planes and an aircraft carrier, and oh, let's say DOCTORS to help out with a disaster in Canada, there will be Canadians who will scream blue murder at the loss of sovereinty and at the presence of U.S. troops on our soil. Oh yes, they will.
Posted by: keith at February 04, 2005 08:40 PM (HRjgG)
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Hey Deb be careful, to many idiots up this way.
Posted by: Dex at February 04, 2005 10:17 PM (kO17P)
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Girl,I can tell that your time off was well spent. You might want to pass on to Darren that the average take home pay for a Canadian is now below the lowest rate in the U.S. That's right, the average Canadian wage is now below the that of the poorest state (ie Mississippi). There is something seriously wrong with this country and your analysis is accurate and painful. I hope there comes a time when Canadians will once again stand up on their own two feet. Keep kicking, we need the help!
Posted by: bobthebellbuoy at February 04, 2005 11:33 PM (nV5cR)
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Thanks for the responses--where can I find sources on those facts (in particular, the comparative analysis on take-home pay that Bob mentioned)?
Keith: As you'll see, I didn't claim that my sources were thorough and complete, just that they seemed to be evidence that Canadians were, in fact, compassionate. Also, citing the invasion of Iraq as foreign aid is highly subjective, isn't it? For example, would you quantify the Vietnam War as foreign aid?
Posted by: Darren at February 05, 2005 01:15 AM (9aklK)
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I have only one thing to say to this:
http://www.thefriendsociety.com/animation/puppywhirl.swf
PUPPY WHIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(might not be NSFW depending on where you work)
Posted by: Blackglasses at February 05, 2005 04:18 AM (Ojo2r)
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Whoa. I just read this screed sober.
Wow.
How do you function in society? Do you have a helper?
Posted by: Blackglasses at February 05, 2005 12:29 PM (Ojo2r)
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I really didn't mean this to be about which system is better. Systems can be judged only by how well they work, how resilient they are during down cycles, and how well they capable of self-correction.
I think the issue is what will it take to bring reforms to correct problems in Canada? Common sense indicates that what will work best are made-in-Canada solutions to Canadian problems, and those solutions will only come about when the body politic focuses on Canadian problems without being diverted by comparisons to the USA.
Nevertheless, I think it's fair to say that the demand for honest government is fairly universal.
Posted by: Debbye at February 05, 2005 11:52 PM (4iSk+)
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Enjoyed your post. All too true, I'm afraid. When the US and coalition forces invaded Iraq, I put an American flag on my lapel. When asked by astounded colleagues at work why I was doing that, I replied that I was flying the flag I was proud of thast day. You should have seen the looks.
I like Americans as a rule, and I think George Bush is a good man an a fine president. God bless the US and coalition forces in Iraq.
That does not mean I want to be an American. I consider myself a Canadian patriot. I've served Canada in uniform and understand that sometimes military force is required. If we don't do something soon to rectify the dilapidated condition of our military, the next generation won't be able to make the claim of having served.
I'll post a link to your site, if that's okay.
Posted by: John the Mad at February 06, 2005 04:40 PM (mN51Y)
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Debbie you were gone so long that I thought you'd left. I'm really glad to see you back. I like your take on things in generaL. I hope your work load decreases soon. Now! about this Darren guy! what he doesn't understand is that too many Canadians define their national identy by intimating that being a Canadian is not being an American. Of course indicating that this makes them a better person! They know that our Healthcare system is the best expression of our compassion and caring nature. Most Canadians of Darren's sort I find to be in such a state of denial that they almost intellectually crippled. Someone said "you can't fight blind ignorance." What makes me angry with the Dattens of Canada is they don't recognize that Canada is on a very slippery slope. No foreign policies, no armed forces to speak of, a broken healthcare system and the politicians are too frightened to try to change it, and educational system that is so PC that the children aren't being educated their being indroctrinated with trendy rubbish. If you want read my rants go to thewalrusaid.blogspot.com Thanks for letting me comment and once again I'm glad your back, David
Posted by: David at February 07, 2005 11:29 AM (cJ69F)
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Darren
The comparative info is on http://cicada.typepad.com/cicada/
Scroll down on this great blog and follow the links.
Posted by: bobthebellbuoy at February 08, 2005 11:43 AM (nV5cR)
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The time to kick 'em is when they're down. Cementheads like Darren are why. He and his ilk are a long way from casting off their anti-US blinders. BTW, the desire for honest government is not that universal. Most voters in southern Ontario don't seem to give a rat turd about corruption in the Liberal Party/federal government. In a normal polity, stuff like the Romanian strippers having a special immigration program would be beyond the pale. Not so in the 416 area code. Keep on kicking.
Posted by: CJ at February 09, 2005 04:05 AM (B3SKB)
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Check out www.spectator.co.uk for an article comparing US healthcare to socialized UK healthcare
Posted by: Son of a Pig and a Monkey at February 11, 2005 05:45 PM (tCISC)
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November 07, 2004
Bashing with Bloggers
Nov. 7 - I've been trying to find some intelligent comments I could make on the blogger bash in Toronto last Friday night, and all I can come up with is awe that so many of them are so wonderfully exuberant (and young!)
Yes, I know that sounds incredibly superficial. Yet given the plethora of media reports about how young American idealists were supposed to rock the vote and follow the Boss to the polls, I think it significant that so many 20 and 30 somethings up here are openly espousing the Western ideals of individualism and independent thinking that is probably the greatest achievement of this civilisation that we love to criticize and defend.
Michael of Canadian Headhunter had described last spring's meeting with guest of honour Damian Penny as like watching Mystery Men, i.e., ordinary people engaged in battling super villains without superhero skills. That description has grown on me because most bloggers are indeed Everymen who have chosen to break from bobble-head acquiescence of mainstream media punditry and tried to apply common sense to political observations.
The sour comments by Dan Rather about bloggers presumably organizing a call for John Kerry to concede missed the entire point about bloggers: no one tells us what to write. Yes, we do read and link to one another, but only if we want to. Unlike Mr. Rather, we don't rush to publish something that doesn't pass our individual litmus tests for truth.
The blogosphere has given new life to those who feel disenfranchised by mainstream media, and whenever a blogger says maybe it's just me you can bet your bottom dollar that it isn't.
Flea has a post on the meet and lists some of the attendees including their urls and Nicholas of Quotulatiousness has a more extensive post and (ohmigosh) pictures!
As always, if you wait long enough someone else will write something coherent and the rest of us can just link to it ... but it will never be redundant to say how wonderful it was to meet finally meet the people behind the blogs.
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I just wish the pictures had been of better quality. . .it looks like I was practicing to fail an eye exam (and it's a freakin' autofocus camera, fergoshsakes!)
I was delighted to meet you and I look forward to future opportunities to solve the problems of the world — while drinking.
Posted by: Nicholas at November 08, 2004 12:23 AM (427F2)
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And I was happy to finally meet you, Nicholas. There will be more meetings both online and in person, of that I'm sure.
Don't worry about the photo quality: it was obviously a problem with the tavern's lighting! (or something of a techie nature, right?)
Posted by: Debbye at November 08, 2004 01:20 AM (U+I5N)
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Canadian Headhunter went to see The Boss at the Vote For Change concert in Detroit. It was one of the best concerts he's every been to.
Posted by: Canadian Headhunter (Michael) at November 08, 2004 02:16 PM (SqyiA)
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October 26, 2004
It's a tax, not a premium
Oct. 26 - Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has affirmed that the new health care tax is
a tax, not a premium which means that people, not employers, must pay it.
His statement came in response to an ruling that a nursing home must cover it's employees at a cost of up to $900 per worker because the arbitrator considered it to be a premium and the contract said that the employer covered OHIP [Ontario Hospital Insurance] premiums. Another arbiter ruled that it was a tax, so opinion is divided.
If it is a premium, then the Ontario government (which means us) will have to pay it on behalf of government employees which could run as high as $2 billion, according to NDP leader Howard Hampton.
It's all about the wording. Premier McGuinty said
"But the intention remains the same, and it's been very clear from the outset, this is a tax provision found within the Income Tax Act and our intention is that taxpayers will pay this new premium."
McGuinty called the tax a premium in an advertising campaign, and Finance Minister Greg Sorbara referred to it as such in his official budget speech.
[NDP leader Howard] Hampton said their statements have created a problem for labour arbitrators who are dealing with contracts that refer to health premiums.
"I suppose the government could bring in legislation that says that Dalton McGuinty and Greg Sorbara misinformed the public," Hampton said.
Tory Interim Leader Bob Runciman said the government may have to bring in legislation to clarify that the premium is, in fact, a tax.
Free health care is not free. It is paid for by taxpayer money, and is expensive in part due to the layers of bureaucracy that exist to ensure the system is not abused, in part because those working in the public sector are paid higher wages and receive more benefits than their counterparts in the private sector, and in part because the marketplace checks that would get rid of ineffective and inefficient administrators and facilities don't exist in the public sector.
This crisis in health care has reached alarming proportions. Waiting times for diagnostic tests can run to several months. Imagine a doctor saying I don't want to alarm you but I'd like to schedule a CAT scan because I think you may have a brain tumor. Let's see, you should be able to get the test 6 to 9 months from now so we'll schedule a follow-up appointment for next year and review the findings of the scan, okay?) "Americanized health care" is demonized but it's also what desperate Canadians utilize by travelling to the US, getting the CAT scan the day after they arrive and the results of the test that day.
Has the Canadian federal health care system become one of rationed health care? Yes, at least here in Ontario.
Robert A. Heinlein used a word in his book The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress which means "there ain't no such thing as a free lunch" - tanstaafl. The failure to heed the lessons of that 1966 novel are being driven home in Canada because the cure for less and less efficient delivery of those services is proclaimed to be Yet More Money which will ensure that services won't deteriorate as rapidly.
In spite of their inability to maintain health care services, the Canadian federal government is already setting the groundwork for establishing a federal child care program (or is that an early education program?)
The extra neat twist is that, according to the Canadian Constitution, health care and education are provincial mandates, so the federal government has usurped one set of provincial powers and is preparing to usurp another set of provincial powers with nary a whimper from Ontario.
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July 01, 2004
Toronto: Sad, but true
July 1 - I feel somewhat ambivalent about a
request from Kathy to link to
this post at the Western Standard's Shotgun blog mostly because it makes Torontonians looks as ridiculous and hateful as they really are.
But there is good reason to link to it, and that is to let American readers know just how frivolous and ill-natured anti-Americanism really is. I live here, and I've heard a lot of stupid reasons why people proclaim to hate us, but they never admit the truth:
They.Are.Envious.
They.Are.Ashamed.
Kathy is right: don't come here to waste your vacation money on this bunch of pretentious bastards. They will whine if they don't get your money, and abuse you to your faces after they do get your money. And given the taxes and corruption, adding your hard-earned money into the government's coffers really would be shameful.
See Alberta. See America. See Australia. Breath air that is free and full of promise, not the depressed, cynical toxicity that is Toronto.
(Yep, we've been having that "let's move to New Mexico or Alberta" conversation again.)
I'm so sick of hearing the smug assumption "they want to take us over" meme. Why on earth would we want to take over a nation like Canada? Given the overweening sense of entitlement, the fear of allowing free will and self-defense, and the professed hatred for capitalism, I just couldn't imagine a worse scenario than to allow most Canadians the right to vote in US elections and determine the course of our nation.
I try to keep a grip, but the fact is that someday I'll explode and yell at whoever advances that stupid proposition "Are you nuts? That ship sailed 225 years ago! Go build a country of your own."
Or maybe I'll state the truth: Sorry, you haven't earned it.
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Yep, see it everyday on TV and I'm the one going crazy? Maybe.
Posted by: Dex at July 02, 2004 12:28 AM (vpzED)
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So true! Glad I'm not the only Torontonian who isn't nuts.
Posted by: Laura at July 02, 2004 01:06 AM (CtDoq)
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Technically that collection of idiotarians I linked to was in Ottawa, not Toronto. Not that it makes a difference. If anything those sentiments are more likely to be encountered in Toronto than Ottawa.
Posted by: Trudeaupia at July 02, 2004 07:54 AM (gL7KK)
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Apologies for repeating myself, but - this isn't new. I lived in Toronto from 1971-78 and it was just as bad then (though being in university from '71-'74 I was probably exposed to a more concentrated form). Back then it was because of Vietnam and you-people-treat-your-Negroes-so-badly. During the Eighties I suppose it was all Reagan's fault. Now, of course, it's Dubya's. It's as if Canada needs to hate us just to affirm their own existence. Sheesh.
My husband and I were last in Toronto in March '01 (there was the Scythian exhibit at the ROM which wasn't coming to Chicago, and I wanted to see it). We were there basically for the long weekend; we looked up one couple who were longtime friends; all was well. But lacking any other blockbuster exhibits that won't come within 600 miles of Chicago otherwise, I doubt I'll ever cross the border again. Which should keep everyone satisfied.
Posted by: Anne at July 02, 2004 08:49 AM (nz0NV)
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Greetings from Calgary. Remember that Alberta is only fractionally less communistic -- if at all -- than other parts of Canada. The difference is that the situation here is perhaps not yet irremediable; in other provinces it may be more problematic.
Posted by: Charles MacDonald at July 02, 2004 11:01 AM (PcgQk)
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Born and raised here. Those are certainly some very large brush strokes. As much as the "left" may have an axe to grind, I think those of you on the "right" have your own axe to grind seeking out such people that make idiotic comments like those. (You should damn well know who McRae is and what slant of newspaper the Sun chain are.) I think if you ask a larger sample of people here what they think of Americans in general, you wouldn't get "I hate them comments." I think you'd get more of indifferent "mostly pushy and loud" comments.
The only thing I'm envious of is your warmer weather and your many nice beaches. As for being ashamed, I'm only ashamed that no Canadian team has won a Stanley Cup in ten years.
As for my slant, well, I'm all over the place so I consider myself centre.
Posted by: Toronto Guy at July 02, 2004 02:38 PM (a0XVi)
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These types of anti American comments may sound extreme and unusual to many Americans but, as a resident of Toronto, I can assure you that they are depressingly familiar. They are particularly prevalent amongst young people who absorb this poison at high school, typically from their teachers. These comments are usually accompanied by references to the astonishing stupidity of Americans. However when challenged to explain the unprecedented success of a country populated by such ignorant fools I am usually met with sullen silence. Tolerance is touted as a particularly Canadian virtue (in Canada) however it appears that it is quite acceptable to suspend this virtue when considering America. As an immigrant to Canada I have often puzzled over this characteristic of Canadians and finally I have concluded it is quite simply nothing more than jealousy.
Posted by: Tony Orton at July 02, 2004 02:39 PM (UHwOX)
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And I have much indifference to the events going on over in the middle east. (One thing the lefties don't seem to realize is that Bush and co could have easily just levelled the place wiping everything out. I also think the comparisons to REAL police states are absurd. At least for now... :-p )
Posted by: Toronto Guy at July 02, 2004 02:43 PM (a0XVi)
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My wife has relatives in Vancouver BC, and in a farming community in northern BC. There is a world of difference between them.
The small town relatives are pretty objective and balanced about the US, and are a pleasure when they come to visit. They are loyal Canadians but also understand international diplomacy on a small scale.
The Vancouver residents are a non-stop anti-american jihad from the start to finish of any visits. I'm so happy to see them leave.
It seems that big city dwelling Canadians have caught the hate-america virus, perhaps from the high density living.
Posted by: Franck at July 02, 2004 02:44 PM (6LRBb)
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Tony Orton: Jealous of what though? Nicer weather and beaches. Check. Higher valued currency. Check. Anything else? Can't think of any.
We certainly can be more smug about Americans particularly when we constantly see just about the worst of what their culture is. The good parts don't always come shining through.
Posted by: Toronto Guy at July 02, 2004 02:54 PM (a0XVi)
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Anti-Americanism is hardly a new phenomenon is Canada. We were settled by people who left the US during and after the American Revolution specifically because they didn't like the idea of an American republic. And this migration continued unabated well into the early part of the 19th century. It was effectively stopped around 1810 when Canada passed laws preventing Americans from owning land unless they've been citizens for 7 years.
In the War of 1812 Canadians overwhelingly rejected an overture from Americans to join them and overthrow the British. Because the Canadians were British. Anti-Americanism has been a Canadian sentiment for well over 200 years.
Canada and the US are business partners, we are not friends. This is the way it has always been. If we were friends the US wouldn't have closed their border to cattle over 1 diseased cow. Let's not pretend that Canada does not have a host of legitimate grievances with the US.
Historically, Canada and the US have not been allies. If the US had been our ally they would have joined the First World War in 1914 and the Second in 1939. Self-interest and isolationism kept them out of it. There can be no better example of what allies do then Canada marching off to two World Wars at the call of Britain. Canada and the US have never had a relationship approaching anything like this.
I think Canada should have went to war with Iraq based on the merits of the case, but the attitude of some Americans that we should have gone simply because America is our ally is complety misplaced.
Posted by: Bobo at July 02, 2004 04:34 PM (+mXkc)
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Hi Bobo - Supporting the US in Iraq was Canada's choice to make as a sovereign nation. I have no quarrel with that.
What I do quarrel with are Chretien's motives for trying to keep Saddam in power, his trip to Mexico to bring Pres. Fox into the Axis of Weasels, and the lies that feed the Toronto Star and CBC.
The historical antagonisms you recount between Canada and the USA are true but kind of on the ancient side. One has to suspect that Canadians actively nurse those grudges.
But don't mind me. I'm resigned to wading through the annual swath of news articles next fall devoted to wondering why American tourists didn't come to Toronto this summer.
Posted by: Debbye at July 05, 2004 06:38 AM (iN9jY)
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